Toddlers: 24 Months+

Making up stories?

Hi!  My son is just over 2.5 years old, and very smart.  He also has an incredible vocabulary.  Lately he's been telling us things that happen at his Montessori, and his teachers say they aren't happening. Such stories include the teacher putting their feet on him, the other kids hitting or kicking him, him hitting or biting others - so not always blaming the other people.  Yesterday, he was sent home with an incident report that said he fell in the snow and hurt his lip.  He told us a boy (by name) kicked him in the face.  I trust this Montessori and his teachers, but I never want my son to think I don't believe him.  Do other toddlers do this?  He has made up stories before and was convinced they were real at home also.  Just needing some advice about what to do, how to show him I trust him if I know the story isn't accurate, but also, what if he is getting kicked and school is lying?

A + J
Lincoln 7.2011 | Eloise 8.2013

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Re: Making up stories?

  • My kid tells stories, and I think it must be normal.  He's flat out told me he didn't have ice cream when I watched him eat it and there was ice cream all over his face.  He told DH that another kid had pooped when he was the one with a dirty diaper.  Yesterday he told me his friend pushed him and didn't say sorry, and the teacher said the kid said sorry and tried to give a hug and my son didn't want a hug.

    I don't think there's anything malicious in it, and I'm sure there are some things the teachers don't see re: kicking/pushing, but for the most part I think they have a pretty good idea of what's going on.  Goodness knows I get enough phone calls and incident reports (right now my son has a black eye and a fat lip).  I don't think there's anything wrong with talking to them about what he says, verifying the "truth," but I also wouldn't be too concerned that his version is different.
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  • klvklv member
    My LO told me tonight that she could not walk because Swiper (from Dora the Explorer) broke her legs.

    She also told me that at daycare there was only one Ella, one Hannah (herself) and 2 giraffes.

    Totally normal.
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  • YES! DS does this and he goes to montessori. Examples (and proof they weren't true)

    His friend got bit and I asked him who did it. He told me it was his teacher. Huh, I don't think his 50 year old teacher has a biting problem. . .

    I asked him how his day went. He told me his friend was sad and crying because he got kicked, and went home. The friend wasn't there that day (and my son had no signs of being kicked).

    He came home with another kids jacket (my husband picked him up and didn't know). he told me he BOUGHT it. ha ha

    I think they just have active imaginations and montessori encourages that.  


  • AggieBeth06AggieBeth06 member
    edited March 2014
    Stories can be normal, but I would be wary to always discredit them particularly if he is getting hurt. Unfortunately adults make up stories of their own.

    I don't know how that will exactly translate for you in this situation, but I would not worry too much unless you start having suspicions that his school or teachers are not safe for him.

    It is incredibly challenging to parse out the truth with toddlers.Are you able to drop in from time to time to observe? 

    Also, I would work on teaching him the difference between stories and lies. Sometimes reading books with a moral that is applicable to the new concept can help start that dialogue. 

    He needs to understand that it is ok to be creative, but when it is in regards to his personal safety... those stories can be very dangerous. It's serious and not a matter to joke about. 

    Maybe you could also give him an outlet for making up different type of stories. My DS asks me to tell him a story every night involving different subjects that he chooses - usually Superman or Batman. Then I ask him to tell me a story.

    Just an idea!


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  • Totally normal.  Today on the way home from school my DD said I didn't like one of her teachers because she wasn't nice to me.  Which isn't even remotely true.  We just talked about how nice Miss Mary is and how much we both like her after that.  I didn't make too much of a big deal out of a story.  I think it's just kids learning how to talk and how to get reactions.  
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