Are your kids allowed to speak during school lunch?

Question

My 4 year old just told me that they are not allowed to talk in the dining room....I thought she meant with their mouths full but she says no...not at all! She is very articulate and I have neve never had any reason to disbelieve her....what do you think of this? I think its terrible! should I ask the school if its true? I am already taking her out of the place at the end of this term.....

Answer 1

that is shocking, lunch time is a child's free time to interact with other children (but not to get out of control). That is outrageous to not allow a child to talk during lunch.

Answer 2

This is what it was like when we lived in Louisiana. Apparently, the reason was too many kids talking was way too loud in the room and they had a short amount of time to eat and they were all spending it talking to each other. I went and had lunch with my daughters class and as long as they were quiet and ate their lunches the teachers were OK with it. I would have lunch with your daughter to see first hand. Also, don't tell them you are coming, just pop in for lunch. After that, if you still have a bad feeling and are able to pull her out, trust your instincts.

Answer 3

I was shocked to find out my sons class was not allowed to talk during lunch. He is in preschool-not even kindergarten yet , he only eats lunch once a wk and didn't find this out until recently so I didnt make it an issue but I was pretty upset and would even be more upset If I find out they would do it in kindergarten. They are small children and that rule is so ridiculous.

Answer 4

I don't know about anyone else, but when I was in school, lunch was much more about socialization than it ever was about food.  There was no assigned seating, no quiet rule, and no study requirement.  Lunch was where we could sit next to our best friend(s) and get to know each other.

While I fully believe it is a parental responsibility to teach children right from wrong and how to behave, I 'thought' school was about both social skills AND academic skills.  It's hard to learn how to interact with others when you aren't allowed to interact with others.

I would fully agree...pull her out of that dungeon and get her to where she can enjoy learning.

** edit **

Brutal, I'd like to thank you.  You've just very effectively pointed out why some countries have citizens, while others have only subjects.

Answer 5

Um... why wouldn't you? The whole point of lunch (besides eating, obviously) is to talk to friends. You should probably email the principal or the lunch attendent and ask why this is. Good luck!

Answer 6

Whoa Yes they are, I worked in the school canteen for a while, It was like a mad house.you could'nt hear a word that was being said in the place, and when It was empty, you thought you'd gone deaf. Come to think of it, that's probably why I'm deaf in one ear. No Joke.!!

Answer 7

im in the 7th grade and im not allowed to talk at lunch. i honestly think the teachers are being way to restrictive with this rule.

Answer 8

I think it's unfair that the kiddies shouldn't be allowed to talk to each other. And four? My little sister's in grade three and she isn't allowed to sit with her friend because they're in different classes! I think seating plans for lunch times should only be used if a child is really badly behaved. Schools should be better. Children shouldn't have to rely on just that one nice teacher to enjoy school. It should be a place where they can learn and have fun is a safe, friendly environment.

Answer 9

My son is allowed to talk at lunch and he;s in a private school.  Lunch, break, time, snack, and recess are the times to talk... if you talk during class then you may get into trouble.

That seems too strict and I don't blame you at all!  Kids need to be kids!

Answer 10

im not sure what the problem is!

my sons school allow them to talk, but i wouldnt complain if they said they coudlnt!

all he does at home is yak yak yak thru his tea and doesnt eat!

its hardly strict, its just a rule - who wants to sit in a dining hall full of kids shouting and talking, instead of eating?

just let them get on with it.

Answer 11

Why, of course they are! Those kids aren't in some kind of boot camp! I'm in secondary school and we are allowed to chat to our hearts content, to be so strict with kids is absolutely shocking!

Give the principal a right talking to!

Answer 12

From your other postings about this place I'd say it is very probably true.

I taught in a state primary for 12 years and there were two different head teachers and a whole host of lunchtime supervisors during that time.

One head insisted on silence the other thought talking was important because lunchtime is a social occasion (as well as a time to eat) and so many kids these days just eat in front on the TV with their dinner on their knee.  I agree with the latter.

As you are taking her out of this school pretty soon I wouldn't bother going in.  It won't change anything if that is their lunchtime policy and it's only for a few more weeks.

Answer 13

They must be very strict. Does your child go to a private school? I suggest talking with the principal on school rules.

Answer 14

I would ask the teacher about it, for clarification. It's possible they have to be silent for a period while the teacher is speaking to them, or something along those lines.

Answer 15

I am a preschool teacher and we ask our kids to eat quietly at lunch time.  I know it may seem harsh but when kids get to talking they forget to eat their lunch and increase their risk for choking.  We would allow them to talk some especially once they had finished most of their meal.  And believe me they do enough talking all day that a little quiet time never hurt anyone and is appreciated by the teachers.  I feel it teaches them good table manners as well...I suggest talking to the teacher to see what her point of view is but I do agree that they should allow quiet voices only while eating.

Answer 16

1. Each student will be courteous to fellow students and lunch room workers.

2. Each student will be responsible for keeping his/her area clean.

3. Each student will use appropriate language.  No swearing or name calling allowed.

4. Each student will keep his/her hands to himself or herself.  No play fighting allowed.

Answer 17

hi ive worked in pre-schools nursery's and schools over the past 2 years and none of which have silence at lunch to be honest with you its as noisy as it is at play times on the play ground

Answer 18

What kind of school does she go to?? I would think this is the time they would let them talk freely and release any energy so they are ready to go back to class and give their attention. That seems too strict to me for such a young age.

Answer 19

Most primary schools have thet rule ,I think it because they dont get long for lunch, and they have more than one sitting to get through .

Answer 20

I've enver heard that in all the years she's been in school and she is 7 now.

Answer 21

I'm in total agreement with you - Its nasty!!  Good on you for moving her out of there!!  Even in prison they are allowed to speak during lunch.

Answer 22

my kids lunch room is really loud from all the laughing and talking, I would talk to the school and ask why, thats a time for them to be social with all there friends.  Get to the bottom of it and call the school.  Maybe the class got in trouble that day and that was the punishment.  But find out.

Answer 23

wow lol. for us at my school we can talk normally like a restauraunt. but no tlaking at all? man if its that strict. coughing gets you in trouble? dang! seriosly its supposed to be a restauraunt in there. not a library

Answer 24

Wow... that is strange. I don't have kids... I'm only 13. But at my school we are aloud to talk. Same with little kids. At the private school where I live, I don't think they are, though. It is just the school's choice, though. Talk to the principal. Be prepared to explain why they should be aloud to talk. Throw in things like it builds social skills and prepares them for the next class.

Good luck!

Answer 25

I think this is terrible and depriving there rites!!! I would check with the school and try and make them change it

Answer 26

thats pathetic, yes i would ask the teacher and ask her why?

my primary school head teacher was some strange religion and didnt beleive in christmas or easter, so we didnt get to have a christmas party

Answer 27

That is a bit much for children. I mean they want them to sit still and be quiet in class AND during lunch. I would ask the teacher or principle about it. If they say thats policy, ask for a copy of the handbook, read over it, and call the school board. Let the board know that you feel its not fair to the kids. Also get other parents behind you that also feel it is wrong. Something may be done, if not at least you tried.

Answer 28

a kid should be able to talk at lunch. the rest of school should be learning. lunch is a time for talking to other kids. its not right to not let kids talk at lunch. you should talk about that to the teacher.

Answer 29

I would be surprised if anyone can shut up 4 year olds, or any child for that matter, that's what they do, chatter, talk, amazing the school doesn;t realise that is how they communicate.

Answer 30

Some schools don't allow speaking because it can lead to fighting, etc., it's a rule that started in prisons where inmates were not allowed to speak to each other or to an officer unless spoken to first.

It's ridiculous for kids though, sorry... if that's true, you should look into a new school, one that A) isn't a child prison and B) Doesn't have problems with fighting as the child prison apparently does, gee, I wonder what oppressing children does to them? Ha.