02 March 2023 , 10:12
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Today is World Book Day, and if you are a parent you might have spent your morning desperately trying to cobble together an outfit for your little one that makes them look like a famous book character.
This has been a staple of the school calendar for over 20 years. It can be a great way to encourage kids to read for fun and get them excited about books.
But one teacher does not see it this way and feels the day has become very commercialised. The woman feels that the day is lumping a lot of pressure onto parents who are likely the ones getting the costumes together.
The day is meant to encourage kids to get excited about books (stock photo) (Getty Images)In a Mumsnet post, the teacher, who remained anonymous, explained: "As a parent and a teacher I absolutely hate the yearly 'dress up as your favourite character'.
"As a teacher it is such a visible divide of the haves/have nots. As a parent I feel under pressure and it adds to the mental load."
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She added that she is all in favour of the day itself, which celebrates books and gets kids excited to read for fun and not just because they feel they have to, but just not the dressing up bit.
In response, many offered their thoughts on the situation with some agreeing that it puts too much pressure on parents, while others felt it is just an opportunity for the kids to have fun.
One person agreed with the teacher and wrote: "It doesn't have to be a big expensive faff."
While another stated: "From what I've seen it in no way encourages children to read - and as a child who loved reading I would have hated it."
A third disagreed with her and said: "My son's school don't do the dressing up element. Whilst I'm grateful in a way I do feel a bit sad that he doesn't get to experience it."
A fourth penned: "I love coming up with the outfits and making / sourcing them and mine love dressing up. I think it’s brilliant."