Teacher told my child that child is not a Muslim

Can be awkward with terms people use. My granny was a proud Orange woman, I'm a Catholic. According to granny I didn't go to church I went to chapel and she went to church. I found that confusing as a child. That child's confusion was different to mine but probably felt similar.

At grammar school friends thought the biggest thing about being Catholic was we got priority for fish and chips on Fridays. Fish and chips was the most popular meal so non Catholics often missed out.

The people who have been put in prison for it

Where in the UK is it normal to throw bacon at people's doors? I've never had it happen to me in over 70 years.

I would imagine the child did think she was a Muslim and if the teacher told her she wasn't she was confused. She then checked with her mother that the rest of the family was Muslim and was upset as she had been othered in her own family.

I think it's really obvious why she was upset.

The family I quoted earlier where a child was told they couldn't have a certain meal because Muslims can't eat that didn't have any other school issues, kids did well, went to uni, mother was a volunteer at school. She had every right to challenge the school about what happened and the fault was the schools and not hers or her child's.

Did you speak to the teacher at drop off op?

The OP has concerns, and those concerns need to be addressed. The teacher needs to have a conversation about what happened, the OP isn't just going to let this go.

The OP doesn't even make any sense. Why would the child cry if she didn't even know herself whether she was muslim or not?

It does matter if the OP talks to the teacher today about it because if people talk to the teacher about nonsense like this every day, then the teacher's time is being completely wasted.

Yes, I'm sure it can be sorted one way or another. If there is a cause for concern about the teacher, it can be followed up. The OP is right to ask for clarification from the teacher because her daughter was certainly very upset.

The teacher might have said it if she didn't know the child's religion, and has ignorantly assumed that she's not a muslim based on the way the child looks. If that is the case, then, of course, OP has every right to be angry. Or, as has been said, it could be a misunderstanding on the child's part.

The only way to get to the bottom of this is for OP to speak to the teacher, which she has said she will do. I don't know why so many posters are getting so angry about this.

My daughter told her teacher I drank so much gin I at my friend's house we had to stay the night. True story: we went to see my friend (also my TA) on a snow day. It got dark, it was a rough area and there was deep snow so my friend suggested we stay over. We had had a g&t or two but I assure you I wasn't drunk.

Doesn't hurt to check in a polite manner

They learn about religions but it's a light touch in Reception. Reception are following Early Years Guidelines not the National Curriculum and it's all about respecting other people's opinions and beliefs, not just religious ones.

I doubt very much the teacher has said that. What would be her motivation? I don't think the child is lying either, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

Ours learnt religion from reception, I think it's part of the curriculum isn't it?

That is so funny.
My DS's teacher had heard that I liked giving men lots of beer.

I worked in a pub 😁

Rather than automatically jumping to being "angry" why don't you instead start by being "puzzled" and investigate?

Please let us know how the conversation with her teacher goes. I'm interested to know why she said this.

Genuine question, not specifically about the OP’s concern, but how do teachers manage speaking to up to 30 parents at drop off, unplanned and with a class of 4 year olds to manage?

ofc not all 30 parents will need a 5-10 minute conversation, but even if 10% of them do - where’s X jumper - x can’t do Pe they hurt their leg - x grandparent unwell and may mention something - x doesn’t like his reading books - x is finding playtime hard.

Raising anything like these questions is not unreasonable but simply where does the time come from for teachers to do it?!

@Jkam24 why would this make your daughter cry though?

according to your 4yo

• the teacher said she’s not Muslim - she asks you if she’s Muslim - you say yes - she cries.

why would this make her cry?

inference that the teacher’s comment (if it was said as 4yo reported) has an offensive undertone is not a concept a 4yo would have.

I genuinely can’t understand why she’d cry?

surely it would be a case of her saying ‘why did x say this cos they are wrong and I am Muslim and I like being Muslim because we do X together ‘ or whatever variation. I can’t see how it would be emotional and lead to immediate tears for a 4yo?

And yes I have no doubt there are awful comments made in all aspects of society around all religions across the country / world. But this specific conversation and reaction makes no sense, EVEN if the teacher made the remark.

Just ask the teacher what she really said, no need for a goady mumsnet thread.

Chances are your kid got it wrong, she's very young. If she really said that you can deal with it and update us later.

I agree that calling a four-year-old child a "Muslim" makes no more sense than calling them a "logical positivist" or "instrumental rationalist" or whatever else their parents might subscribe to.

But just as it's expecting too much for such a child to understand such things, actually telling them "you're not a Muslim" would be equally inappropriate.

"The point is does a teacher have a right to decide any which way about a child's religious background or inform her she isn't of any religion during to her age?"

No

They wouldn't and they obviously didn't.

Nothing to add but wanted to congratulate you @Jkam24 on the excellence of your intellect and your values. 👊

They don't tend to teach religion at that age