Parents from Massachusetts were left outraged after a preschool allegedly forbid their children from using a common, simple phrase. Deeming the words “offensive,” students were told not to say them again. But parents say this has gone too far.
Christine Hartwell was left in total disbelief when her 4-year-old daughter Julia came home from preschool saddened by a chain of events that occurred in her classroom. It was so infuriating, the Massachusetts family said they were looking for a new preschool for the girl since her current school barred the use of a common phrase often uttered by children and adults.
According to Hartwell, Julia came home from the Pentucket Workshop Preschool, appearing rather upset and acting differently than usual. “When I asked her, what was wrong she said she was really sad about what her teacher did that day,” Hartwell recalled. Then, her little girl told her that her teacher said she couldn’t call one of her classmates her “best friend.”
In disbelief and outraged, Christine Hartwell questioned her daughter’s school. She and her husband went to the director at Pentucket Workshop to find out more about the policy, which she said is not spelled out in the school handbook.
Shockingly, the school defended their stance, saying they’ve done research on the pros and cons of using the term “best friend” and found banning the term promotes inclusion in the classroom. They also made it clear that they would continue to discourage children from using the phrase in group settings.
The mother fears the “ban” can end up having a negative effect on her daughter, who’s been left confused and upset. Hartwell explained that her daughter is now hesitant to call anyone her best friend anymore. “Even now, she goes to say it in a loving way, ‘I’m going to see my best friend Charlie’ or this one or that, and she looks at me sideways,” Hartwell said, according to The Washington Post. “She’s checking in with me to see if it’s okay,” she furthered.
After sparking controversy, the school quickly seemed to change their tune, saying there was no ban on the term. “Contrary to erroneous reports in the news media and on social media, Pentucket Workshop Preschool has no policy banning the use of the term, ‘best friends,’” the Pentucket Workshop Preschool wrote in a posting online. “It is unfortunate that our best intentions have been mischaracterized,” they added.
Although it appears the banning was never a written policy, it’s undeniable that the school tried to discourage the use of the phrase by their own admission. Then, they tried to backpedal when they were met with criticism. It’s natural and healthy to have friends, and yes, that includes having a favorite or closest friend. Perhaps the school should focus more on teaching kids how to make friends and be a friend rather than discouraging them from using harmless words.
