I ran into a problem with my son's preschool today. First let me say that they have been wonderful, and my son loves this school.

My son told me on the way home about a video they watched (he's 4) that they pulled up on the computer. My kids have no computer access at home.

He described it as a Leprechaun chasing a unicorn, and first the leprechaun had a knife, then he got red for some reason then was punching the unicorn in the face and the unicorn's eye got purple.

So I went home and googled "cartoon leprechaun punching unicorn" and a video on youtube popped up and with my son not in the room at all, I'm in a different part of the house, I watched it, on silent and it followed what he said. I will post the link at the bottom. Admins please let me know if this is not allowed, I can delete it from my post.

I paused it, and called my son into the room and he said that's it and it was funny and wanted to watch it again.

So I called to ask the teacher to clarify and she said they didn't watch anything like that. But I know my son, not only would he not make this up, but he has zero access to the computer, let alone has he ever seen you tube. And how would he know so many details? The teacher asked to call me back after their lunch group is over (some kids stay for an extra hour for lunch).

I'm waiting for a call back. I don't want to accuse them of lying. But it sure seems that way. Not sure how to go about this.

https://youtu.be/9auOCbH5Ns4

Is it possible that another kid pulled it up on the computer and the teacher wasn't aware? I can totally see how that could happen - you can't be everywhere watching everything at once.

That's what I was thinking...I finally spoke with them, and I don't think they would show it on purpose. The teacher said that it is possible...but then said she can't see how the kids would have done that without her noticing. I was more concerned that they were trying to cover it up...she kind of left off with she really doesn't think the kids watched it on her computer...my gut tells me they, yeah, someone was touching something they shouldn't have...also the main teacher has been out the past 2 days so they were down a teacher.

Yeah...short staffed, computer there...I can see how this would be a total accident no one was aware of. Not great but a very different situation than them showing it intentionally.

GlamourGirl: Have you listened to this video with the sound? I couldn't believe what it was saying. Not appropriate at all. I can see why you are upset.

It's incredible what preschoolers can do on a computer, tablet, or phone after seeing an adult do it once. My nephew was barely three when he was able to recognize (maybe even read) family names on grandma's phone, and call them.

When I was visiting from out-of-state, he called my phone (having never called me before) because he heard grandma (my mom) talking about calling to wake me up (I wasn't in the same house).

Either he was able to read or partially read my name, or figured out by process of elimination that my phone number had to be the one he didn't recognize.

He's six now, and is so computer savvy that he routinely helps grandma with computer tasks when she gets stymied.

If they think the kids accessed the computer without adult intervention, perhaps request a password be put on the computer, or have everything but kid friendly websites blocked.

I think the kids definitely could have pulled it up on a computer, especially if they were down a teacher. Even when I was in school, kids could get around locks the teachers put on computers with almost no effort. Even if the whole internet was blocked, they'd get around that in like two minutes.

Yes! I didn't at first, but when hubby woke (he worked the over night the night before) he asked to turn the sound on...needless to say we were both shocked.

The teacher did say that they use you tube to show child appropriate videos, so you tube was already pulled up.

Kaplods I completely agree, that a group of 4-5 year olds could have quickly and swiftly accessed that video, especially because youtube has more suggested video on the side that just come up...the weird part is my son said the teacher was there...it was just odd...he told me about the video in a happy way and when I talked to him about it not being a nice video he got upset. He really didn't realize they weren't supposed to watch it. And he keeps saying all the kids were there and the teacher...as far at the school is concerned its done and over. There's not much I can do short of accusing them of lying or really not paying attention (like the teacher started the video and was still there but not watching at all) My son did say there was no sound when they saw it....so all she would have to do is being talking with someone and not watching the screen to not notice it was playing.

What I wouldn't give to have access the their youtube history! Which I'm sure has already been cleared...

They definitely should have been able to pull up the history to see whether or not it was shown.
If they're going to use youtube, they might want to look into YouTube Kids, or a website that screens youtube videos for inappropriate content.

I can attest to the computer skills of 4 year old children and they are important skills to have.

However as a parent I would have been upset as well. I had a career of over ten years as an early childhood educator working with pre shool age and kindergarten children and we used computers, but I can tell you that not once were children accessing the computer when they should not have been or accessing anything they should not have been. If we were short an ECE we got a supply in, legally ratios must be maintained. Our curriculum was always rich and kept children engaged and being responsible for children's emotional, physical, and social welfare is a serious job and one I took seriously.

You might consider asking what are the rules for computer use in the preschool room. Also even though computer use is important to learn about for preschool children having access to the internet at all times is not. If children could pull that video up what else could they pull up. Same as use in the home computer use needs to be monitored as does television use, this changes of course with age and maturity.

I would discuss the practice of use of the computer including purpose, hours, access and rules with the staff. Sometimes computers, like televisions, get used as cheap baby sitters.

Hope it all works out.

I totally understand why you are upset. I think it is good that you spoke to the teacher. It does sound like a mistake and my guess would be that the teacher was dealing with a situation when a kid pulled it up behind the teachers back.

We use tons of technology. The blocks do not always work. Kids do sometimes see stuff they should not. Nothing short of 1 to 1 adult to student ratios can guarantee content. Educators are humans not superheros. We do everything we can but mistakes do happen. With a 1 to 10 ratio (or higher) it is impossble to monitor all internet content when you have (for example) 30 kids on iPads - I know this was a Smartboard - but my friends who teach K are expected to use 1 to 1 ipads and they find it frustrating when the software does not block what it should. Kids know what they should not be on and they are very good at hiding what they are doing. Even grade 1s have cell phones and they sometimes have no blocks on 3G. There are some kids in that class know who put it up. They just are not talking. Good luck getting it resolved.

Oh that video is terrible for kids...anyone really!