Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
GEORGETOWN, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts family is looking for a new preschool for their 4-year-old daughter because her current school has barred use of the term "best friend."
Christine Hartwell says her daughter, Julia, appeared sad recently when she came home from the Pentucket Workshop Preschool in Georgetown.
The little girl told her mother she was upset because her teacher told her she couldn't call one of her classmates her "best friend."
School officials did not comment. But, in a letter to the Hartwells they said, it had been their experience that the use of the term "best friend," even when used in a loving way, can lead some children feeling excluded.
Hartwell called the ban "outrageous" and "silly." She says children should be allowed to speak from their heart.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.