School summer performance - child having part taken off them

[caz4541]

So my daughter, who is 7, was supposed to be a narrator in the school play but came home yesterday and announced that she was now just in the chorus as she burst into tears whilst they were practising. Should I be annoyed that the school have taken the decision to give the part to another kid instead of encouraging her more and speaking to me so that I can help her learn her lines?

I know every part in the play is important. It just seems like they have let her give up when the going gets tough instead of encouraging her to maybe face her fears. She never appears to get recognised at school for the work she does and I just wonder if they give up on her too easily sometimes.

 

[CaptainMummy]

I wouldn't be annoyed tbh. When they are so young, parts are given to the children that are reliable and will be able to speak in front of the school without having to worry whether or not they will actually do it. I have found that this has nothing to do with who works hard etc, and is purely down to 'is the child confident enough to get out and perform?' They obviously don't want your daughter to get upset and have taken the pressure off her.
My daughter is a bit like yours, she works her butt off and doesn't get much recognition. But when I spoke to her teacher at the end of term, she told me she "is a superstar and an absolute delight have in class" and that was enough for me.

 

[noon_child]

I suppose whether to get annoyed or not depends on whether your daughter is relieved or upset by the change and whether they consulted her and found out what she'd be more comfortable with.

They have a duty of care not to make her feel like she's being forced to do something she isn't happy with (a lot of children being given a part would never dream of telling their teacher they are too scared and don't want it because their teacher is someone they look up to and want to please).

However I know how you feel as you don't want her thinking "There! It's proven now; I cant do it, even the teachers think so". Maybe find out from the teachers exactly how it was handled and from your daughter how she feels. From there they can reassure her that she is capable but that they didn't want her feeling upset about something that is supposed to be fun.