Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:51
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Normal and required at our K-8.
DD has normalized it and now wears shorts under all dresses.
DD has normalized it and now wears shorts under all dresses.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:49
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
At my daughters' public school they are asked to wear shorts/tights under dresses for all P.E. classes. This has never bothered me.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:39
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Telling her to pull her skirt down is about modesty. Modesty isn't a bad word. What is okay for a baby in a diaper is a bit different than for a preschooler and different again for school age, pre teen, teen etc.
Three and four yr olds are very interested in what lies under underwear - both their own and other kids. Having kids not walking around in their underwear is also a good liability thing for avoiding complaints of being touched etc by another kid.
Three and four yr olds are very interested in what lies under underwear - both their own and other kids. Having kids not walking around in their underwear is also a good liability thing for avoiding complaints of being touched etc by another kid.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:34
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
OK, it's actually a good point that shorts under skirts may make things easier on the playground (though my DD has not let skirts hold her back in the slightest as far as I can tell). I wish the teacher focused on that aspect rather than on the level of modesty she feels is appropriate in a 3 year old classroom. The responses have been really interesting! It's true - I've never taught a preschool class, nor have I ever dressed DD in a skirt to go to the park so some of the PPs have made worthwhile points. I think I was more turned off by the teacher's tone and concern, rather than the idea of shorts. I find it strange that this wasn't a concern when DD was wearing diapers under her skirts just a few short months ago.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:27
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
I want my girl to play freely, and don't want to tell her all the time to keep her skirt down. I feel like that inhibits her. Teaching her that is just completely unneccessary. Actually, I think teaching them to keep their skirt down is more imposing sexuality on them than having them wear shorts under their skirt. And it also would inhibit their play and thus their freedom, not to mention their opportunities to make friends and get exercise. Why should a 3-8 year old girl worry about propriety in that way? With shorts, she can run free. It's logical and easy, and fair. (ie, easy to explain that no one shows their underwear, not boys, not girls, and not grownups.)
My vote is that wearing shorts under skirts is actually less backwards than teaching small girls to keep their skirts down.
My vote is that wearing shorts under skirts is actually less backwards than teaching small girls to keep their skirts down.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:20
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
My daughters preschool didn't require this, but when ever my daughter wore a dress or skirt I required her to wear shirts underneath. The result in the 4's class was that half the girls in the class wouldn't use the firemans pole or slide because they didn't want to show their underwear. I think it's a travesty for kids to go to preschool in clothes they aren't comfortable going down the slide in.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:19
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
We always put shorts on under skirts too - never really thought not too. She loves to somersault and pull her skirt up and do all kinds of things that are better suited to shorts...but she also likes dresses so she wears both. Nothing to do with being sexual or ultraconservative - just clothing choices that work with the activities she does.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:13
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
So funny to see the different views here. I just thought everyone would put shorts on little girls under dresses. Who new that I was being ultra conservative or a sexual pervert, not sure which one it is supposed to be. I think like a pp that it is more comfortable for the child and makes more sense is all.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:06
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is this a religious/conservative school? This strikes me as bizarrely antiquated and almost overly-sexualized. Omigod, mustn't see little Olivia's panties. Whereas little Jacob's underpants? Is there a concern about him? Does he have to wear an undershirt in case he accidently pulls up his shirt and exposes himself?
Is little Jacob wearing a dress? If so, he should have shorts on, too. Don't put it on the teachers to fish sand out of your kid's panties because you are hung up on freedom of expression for the preschool set? Underpants without shorts over them are not comfortable or appropriate attire for active outdoor play. Not because it's so appealing to pervs who might decide the playground where the teacher has to supervise multiple kids including that girl who always wears the barbie underpants is a great place to eat lunch every day (although that paints a picture, don't it?) Underpants alone are inappropriate because they make it uncomfortable to go down a slide, sit in the sandbox, slide down a fireman pole, and lots of other fun things. Would you rather your daughter practice keeping her dress down, or that she feel comfortable playing freely?
First of all, you brought up freedom of expression, not me. This has absolutely nothing to do with freedom of expression or any other constitutional right.
My daughter has never worn shorts over underpants and she's never had a problem on the playground. No one has ever fished sand out of her underpants. That is truly disgusting.
Why would it be more uncomfortable to go down the slide in underpants than to play on a sandy beach in a bathing suit? None of this makes any sense. If your daughters' underpants gape and don't fit, they are too old. Buy them new ones.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:03
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Some of the posters here are over the top hysterical. "The pantie police?" "Gross" to see a little girl's panties?
What would you like little girls to wear? A burqa, perhaps? How many layers satisfy modesty requirements?
What would you like little girls to wear? A burqa, perhaps? How many layers satisfy modesty requirements?
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:01
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Anonymous wrote:Is this a religious/conservative school? This strikes me as bizarrely antiquated and almost overly-sexualized. Omigod, mustn't see little Olivia's panties. Whereas little Jacob's underpants? Is there a concern about him? Does he have to wear an undershirt in case he accidently pulls up his shirt and exposes himself?
Is little Jacob wearing a dress? If so, he should have shorts on, too. Don't put it on the teachers to fish sand out of your kid's panties because you are hung up on freedom of expression for the preschool set? Underpants without shorts over them are not comfortable or appropriate attire for active outdoor play. Not because it's so appealing to pervs who might decide the playground where the teacher has to supervise multiple kids including that girl who always wears the barbie underpants is a great place to eat lunch every day (although that paints a picture, don't it?) Underpants alone are inappropriate because they make it uncomfortable to go down a slide, sit in the sandbox, slide down a fireman pole, and lots of other fun things. Would you rather your daughter practice keeping her dress down, or that she feel comfortable playing freely?
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:01
Subject: Re:Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
I'm a PP whose daughter already wears shorts or bloomers.
The other reason a school might call for it is that as girls get older they can get into the mode of "I can't play because I'm wearing a dress" or otherwise shun certain activities. Ensuring they are in shorts or leggings takes that away as an option. Yes, even for 3 and 4yr olds.
The other reason a school might call for it is that as girls get older they can get into the mode of "I can't play because I'm wearing a dress" or otherwise shun certain activities. Ensuring they are in shorts or leggings takes that away as an option. Yes, even for 3 and 4yr olds.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 19:01
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
Anonymous wrote:If I was caring for a group of young kids, I would not want to have one of them flashing her undies on the playground every day, and I also would not like to lead a classroom discussion on the merits of keeping your dress down. Why not dress your daughter so that she is actually covered, so that she can run and play without you or anyone else needing to be the pantie police?
New poster -- I do dress my daughter so that she is covered, thank you very much. Her underwear covers her. What in the world is your daughter wearing for underwear? Dental floss?
Anonymous
09/12/2012 18:56
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
OP - maybe consider the fact that the teacher is doing you a favor. 3-4 yrs old is not too early for other kids to make fun of your D or not want to play with bc her underwear is showing, which it will when she's on playground equipment regardless of what you teach her. Why put her through that bc you are trying to prove a point. Also while you may not like this school, keep it mind that it may just be that area if it's more conservative generally. Just put her in shorts for a few weeks - soon she'll begin tights or leggings anyway as it'll get colder.
Anonymous
09/12/2012 18:56
Subject: Preschool wants DD to wear shorts under her skirts/dresses. Normal?
I understand the frustration, but have you ever taught a 3-y-o class? Just when they are sitting in the circle, their parts and pieces are all hanging out. With girls' undies, if they aren't on just right, it's very easy to look over and see their privates. No big deal, of course, but would be better to have a little more modesty, just like I would tell a boy to pull his shirt down or his shorts up.
Also, there's the playground element. I don't think it's a sexual thing at all. I also ask kids not to pick their noses, scratch their behinds, etc.
Anyway, I get cute girlie boxer-type shorts for my DD so they are super easy to pull up and down.
Also, there's the playground element. I don't think it's a sexual thing at all. I also ask kids not to pick their noses, scratch their behinds, etc.
Anyway, I get cute girlie boxer-type shorts for my DD so they are super easy to pull up and down.