One-Armed CBeebies Host 'Scaring' Children

[Natasha&Matt]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090223/tuk-one-armed-cbeebies-host-scaring-chil-45dbed5.html

This is so silly!!

What are your thoughts?

 

[natalielongstaff]

I think its totally stupid ! i had to look before i noticed her arm Parents should explain to the kids what happened and teach them tolerence !

 

[mandymouse]

I read this earlier, and I was absolutely appauled. Not everyone is perfect in this world, and if children grow up knowing that people are different and some have disabilities, then they are less likely to be shocked or be awkward around them - I really feel for the lovely girl involved

 

[wishspirit]

That makes me sick to the core. How dare they!! If she is a good presenter, she is a good presenter, children should be taught to look past physical apperence.

If I had a child who watched this, it would not upset me in the slightest, i would just tell them the truth!

I think this shows more about attitudes to people with disabilities by the parents, rather than the children. Truely sickening!

 

[emily1982]

Yes children will ask questions, but we're just becoming a cotton wool society.

 

[CustardTart]

I really can't put into words how much I despair of some factions of society so here are a few smilies to do the job for me...

 

[Bolanette87]

I think this is terrible.... I would never have noticed if someone hadn't pointed it out!!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[aaronandterri]

it worries me the way our society is going........

 

[Bolanette87]

Yes children will ask questions, but we're just becoming a cotton wool society.

Exactly... I know I'm not a parent myself, but I'd want my children to learn about the world around them. It's the only way to stop them being terrified of everything.... The world can be a nasty enough place without people kicking up a silly fuss about things like this...

Bob xoxoxox

 

[Pinky166]

It is truely shocking & angers me so much, what an earth is going on in this world!!! Maybe there would be less bullying in schools if children were to see from an early age that people are different.

I feel so sorry for the presenter involved as I bet this is very upsetting for her.

 

[scottish mum]

It really angers me that if we're not "perfect" we're abnormal. My DD watches cbeebies and she has not even noticed.

How are kids supposed to learn about differences in other people if they are censored on tv. If they see people who have some sort of diability and explained why or how it happened they won't think anything of it. It's the minority of parents that cause the problem

 

[Lizzybear]

I think instead of assuming their children will find someone else's disability scary, the parents who complained should use it as an opportunity to talk about how we're all different etc instead of pushing their own prejudiced views.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Miss Burnell was disappointed by the criticism but welcomed the discussion.

"It can only be a good thing that parents are using me as a chance to talk disability with their children," she said.

"It just goes to show how important it is to have positive disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general."

Enough said !

 

[wils]

Quite ridiculous

Whan Molly was at pre-school one of the helpers was in a wheelchair. It took a few seconds explanation when she asked and that was the end of the matter as she just accepted it! She adored him and was quite grateful that his lap was always available to hold her doll

Whatever next

 

[pixiepower04]

Are we not told at some point that children acquire learned responses so if you as an adult freak out about a spider or hate going over bridges or are scared of heights then the child will also be like that at some point because they pick up on your fear and make it their own, it makes me wonder what the parents of these children did or said to make the child 'feel' scared in the first place.

My kids always ask me questions about anything they don't already know the answer to like 'why is that person in a wheelchair' or 'why doesn't that person have an arm' etc. I tell them what I know or what I think I know and they are quite happy with that. They don't look at them any differently and I think that's partly because DH is in the Ambulance Service and discusses things with them so they don't feel afraid.

I try not to shield them from anything, including the news (to some degree of course) but I don't like the fact that when the news is on the radio at 3pm when the kids are in the car they will still report about rapes and sexual assaults and i'm just waiting for the day my DD10 asks me what rape is.

I kind of feel that if there is a watershed on the telly there should also be one on the radio.

But anyway, we have to stop pointing out 'differences' in people otherwise we will never have a society that our children are comfortable and secure with.

I feel sorry the teacher has even had to go through this and if I was her I would be quite cross and singled out underneath the calm composure.

 

[Snowy-girls]

I am absolutley disgusted+appalled by this.
My Dd4 noticed a few weeks ago she had only 1 arm(i did'nt)and said to me 'look at that lady,she's got no hand+fingers'.So i explained that she was either born like it or had it amputated because of an accident.Why can't other parents do the same?.
Even Dd7 asks questions if she see's someone in a wheelchair,one leg etc..and i am glad they ask me+it's more than they know is too not stare(as i find other children doing+even their parents).x.

 

[The Fetherstons]

I think this is absoloubtly apauling and I really feel sorry for the poor girl , it really shouldnt matter, this really makes me mad

 

[PoppyAnna]

My children haven't even noticed it (not sure if that's a good or bad thing) but they have noticed the new presenters. They miss Chris and Pui who they really did like
There have been incidents at nursery with both of my girls involving other children and I must say the other child in both cases had, lets say clear differences in their appearance compared to my girls (one was west indian and one had an eye patch/glasses) and not once did either of my children use these things like a label to describe to me who had hit them, they mentioned the childs name and it's sex. I think if parents/grown-ups make an issue of differences they become an issue for children.
Cbeebies is one of only three channels the girls are allowed to watch at their age (it's my fave as no ads ) and I encourage them to watch it when they ask to watch TV, I think the BBC have done nothing wrong employing this presenter, she certainly hasn't scared my girls, I hope they are made of stronger stuff than that

 

[Cyrano]

I really can't put into words how much I despair of some factions of society so here are a few smilies to do the job for me...

The thing is children are adaptable and tolerant... until given the suggestion to think otherwise

DD's class has a child who has a number of disabilities. The positive effect this has on both that child and the other children is plain to see. Yes we reminded the council that a number of changes would have to be made. Try looking at an environment sitting down. It is amazing how many items such as door handles are located in an inaccessible place

 

[eyeore]

as a mum of a disabled child this sickens me, but doesnt surprise me. i agree it is usually the parents who have the problem not the kids. i would rather somebody asked me about my sons disability than to stare at him. my little boy is in mainstream primary and his classmates have grew up with him and they dont even see his wheelchair anymore! but when he goes up the town shopping with me .........different story!! and yes its adults and the elderly. this young lady is doing a great job i only hope she's left alone to get on with it. btw great to see good support for the disabled on the dis knew you were a good bunch: