My 5 yeare old gave another kindergardener her telephone number and he called. How should I reach? Is this a big deal?
I want you to know that he has only called once. I did supervise the conversation. Next thing I know she is in the bathroom to get some "privacy". I did infact pick up another extension. The little boy told her " i like you. you know... i LOVE you REALLY and i want to date you and can you come to dinner on sunday? " she then told him that her dad was being silly singing out loud. when i heard her change the subject I told her it had been her allotted 10 minutes and she had to say goodbye. she thinks it's "cute" to say i love you..her father and i followed that telephone call with a talk on love. i did suggest a play date for friday and this way i can communicate with the boy's parents! i'm sure it's a little crush :)
Why would it be a big deal? I don't see any harm in it at all...they are making friends... the calls are going to start at some point...
I can only see it becoming an issue if that child calls you nonstop every three minutes for days. That happened to us and we nearly changed our phone number. And this was AFTER speaking to the adults in the house and letting them know what their child was doing. Which I think they already should have known, but I digress.
Its normal otherwise (to call)!!
edited response here:::
i cant believe some of these responses! my daughters were talked to after giving out the numbers, that to ask me before giving out the number because of danger,etc. but they loved having their friends call them!!! boys and girls, of course you dont hand them the phone and say,"see ya in the morning" you sit there, let them talk, they're usually bored in ten minutes anyway!!!!!! i guess i'm kinda shocked at how people are acting like its so bad to have a boy for a friend at the ripe age of 5!!!!! you should be happy shes social, and intelligent enough to know her number.
THATS NORMAL, LET THEM TALK ON THE PHONE, SHE'LL LOVE IT!
I wouldn't find it to be a big deal. If you are uncomfortable with it at first, maybe pick up an extention to hear what is being said. I'm sure it's innocent enough, and you can put your worries to rest.
Update: I'm also suprised at the negative reaction to the phone calls. As long as the child is being supervised on the phone, I see no problem with a child talking to a boy OR girl on the phone.
My boys back in 3rd or so and now my girl in 1st are doing the same. We don't allow talking on the phone during the school week and limit it for about 20min. Bt now my 13 yo has his own cell (prepaid) so it's his responsability to keep track, he uses min's up and that's to bad until he buys more. We also got rid of the house phone, not for this reason but it sure came in handy! lol
Wow, it is amazing how things have changed since i was a kid. I was such a tom boy, the only friends I had were boys and my mom loved it. Why? Because they always protected me and the reason I did not hang out with girls is because they were all into the kissy huggy. LOL When I was in Kindergarten I had a boy named Ryan that chased me around the playground every day trying to kiss me. These days he would be suspended and in counseling, those days it was just kids being kids. Anyway, the I love you thing, well my son is 2 1/2 and makes a habit out of yelling at the top of his lungs to the cashier, the bank teller, the woman at the drive up, etc Bye Bye I LOVE YOU! I just think it is cute. Kids love to imitate what they see, and how they see it. When my son gets on the phone he holds it, and talks to the person the same way I do. Maybe it makes him feel all grown up. I think we worry too much and are not letting kids be kids, maybe WE are the ones making our children grow up to fast???
At this age, they are just friends. No harm and kind of sweet that she knows her number and has friends already. My kindergartner learned her number and gave it to everyone too! And has a slew of slips of paper with number on it from her friends...boys and girls. Children this age play with boys and girls without concern over things adults consider issues.
Maybe you and the child's mom can be pals and make a play date for the kids.
Speaking from a teacher's point-of-view, my third grade students used to exchange numbers all the time. They didn't really call more than once. And I think they called once for curiousity. It could be a little crush or maybe innocent friends. Elementary students seem to "move on" quickly.
OMG people! What is the big deal?! As long as the call is supervised and you keep the lines of communication open with your child you're fine. So now we should encourage our children to NOT socialize and be NORMAL children? Is this really where we're at now as parents? I'm so surprised by a couple of these responses and I'm not even sure why this is an issue at all. Best of luck with your dilemma.
Ask her. If she calls him her boyfriend, that's different than if she considers him a friend. Either way, decide what you want your rules to be about telephone use and about giving out your phone number, then lay out the rules and follow through with consequences if broken. In general, I wouldn't worry about her getting a call from a boy. Even if she has a crush on him, most 5 year old boys either think girls are yucky, or haven't given it much thought one way or the other and just think friends are friends. You can also call or email the teacher to see if there is anything to worry about between them. The good news is she knows her phone number!
Hi elementary delema,
well, coming from me, a mother of a 17 year old girl and a 2 year old girl, i would tell the boy, if and when he calls again, that there has been a mistake and that your daughter is not allowed to receieve phone calls from boys because she is too young. this actually happened to my mom by me when i was in 2nd grade. i gave a boy my number, completely innocently. that must be when we start to remember our phone numbers etc. my mom was stunned when he called and today we laugh about it but it had to stop. so, just make it clear to your daughter she is too young to receive phone calls from boys (or anyone...i don't know your rules about girls calling.)and try to explain the dangers of handing out personal info in this day and age, that our phone number is a "private thing" for her to give to "grandma", or "aunt so and so", etc. only. hope this helps.
hello, i would just explain not to give out your phone number without you knowing but other wise i would not worry. if you make it seem like a big deal than it becomes one. as long as you are vigilent with keeping up with what she does and make it a point to talk to the other parent so each of you are on the same page, what harm can come of it. at least it is one and not 10 and she is not of dating age yet. lol B.
My daughter is 5 and her and her friends (boys or girls) are always given the numbers. I explained to her and her friends when they try to give me the number let me speak with your mother first before given the number to me and I explained to my daughter she must have my permission to give our telephone numbe out.. Kids are completely innocent when they do that (give the numbers out) Yes monitor if you feel more comfortable with it. You handled it perfect especially with the love thing. Kids do not quite understand these things. To them boy or girl are all the same. I agree with one of the responses they do get bored. My daughter actually just hanggs up on the person =) when she is finished no good bye or anything. So, on the safe side, you might want to explain the phone manners.
Well, I really won't worry to much. My 5 year old little boy's best friend in school is a girl and they play outside of school all the time. Kids are growing quicker then we did. They see we communicate with our friends thur the telephone, and they are doing the same. There is really not much to it. Just don't forget to express to her not to give the phone number out to strangers. Try and make a play date if you can so you can meet the child that could help settle and nerves.
I dont understand why you think it's abnormal or even a problem.
I think its just part of 'growing up', kids learn to use the phone. Your child will eventually learn to use the phone and will call other children too.
I have seen young children (not much older than kindergarten) talking on their own cell phones outside the school.
