What do you say when a child says...

[Lovingtheseagulls]

"I love you"? I work in Foundation Stage and have two children who every now and then say "I love you". I automatically reply with "I love you too" but wonder if this is appropriate really. What would you say?

[Asleeponasunbeam]

'Oh thank you. Let's....(divert and distract)'

Some might say it's inappropriate and want you to say 'No you don't, you love mummy (or whoever) and you like me'. I think it's horrible to deny a child's expression of their emotions.

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

I've had it said to me and replied with "aww, thank you. let's go do x y z" and try and steer away from the subject.

I think saying "I love you" back is a bit inappropriate but it would be mean and hurtful to tell them that they don't or not reply at all.

[mineallmine]

How about 'Thank you, and I love all the children in our class'?

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

Oops, x posted there somehow.

[earthyambitions]

I often don't say anything just a smile will do but when it does require a response I usually say 'I love you all' or 'thank you, and I love being your teacher' or similar.

[Lovingtheseagulls]

Yes I will try just saying thank you. It's so hard, these two children have really tricky home lives and I think school is probably where they get most of their stability. I want them to feel loved.

[TheRoseAndTheFire]

'I love being your teacher' is a great response earthy.

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

My nephew went through a phase of saying this to teachers and they corrected him to say "I like you" when speaking to teachers

[Asleeponasunbeam]

Oh. 'I love being your teacher' is brilliant. Thanks.

[FabulousFudge]

Thank you and change the subject is best option I think.

[IsItStupid]

I love being your teacher is a very good one, in my opinion.

Plain thank you can be a bit harsh for some children.

But sayings "Thank you, xxx, I love teaching you/this class/your class" is quite a nice work around, and then you can change the subject.

[DocHollywood]

I say 'Aw, that's a nice thing to say', or 'Aw, do you?' then carry on. I never say I love you back, because it's not true!

[insancerre]

I just say
Aw, thank you! That's lovely
and return their hug
It happens nearly every day
It means you are doing your job properly

[MrsUltracrepidarian]

I had this recently in secondary (Y8) - my response was 'Thanks, you're a great class - always good to see you'

[ChristmasZombie]

I say something like "I love being with all of you!"