A preschool in the United states has begun discouraging children from using the term “best friend.”
The Pentucket Workshop Preschool in Georgetown, Massachusetts, believes that taking away the term “best friend” from the kids’ vocabulary “encourage children to have a broader group of friends, and foster inclusion at this particular age,” as reported by CBS Boston.
Pentucket also explained how the term “best friend” could lead to other kids feeling excluded. This could eventually lead to having “cliques” and “outsiders.”
Christine Harwell, whose daughter Julia attends Pentucket, finds it “ridiculous.”
“Children who are four years old speak from their heart,” she said in the report. “They should be able to call kids anything loving. You’re my best friend. You’re my best pal.”
Because of this new policy, Christine described how Julia would check with her every time the child mentions “best friend” in reference to her friend Charlie.
Christine said, “She looks at me sideways as she’s saying it and she’s checking in with me to see if that language is OK.”
Julia will no longer finish the school year at Pentucket.
WBZ-TV anchor Paula Ebben commented, “You know what’s not a great idea? Putting adult motivations on to children. I think when small children say ‘best friend,’ they’re not trying to exclude anyone; they’re trying to identify a loving relationship.” Alfred Bayle/JB
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