Sign at Kindergarten Entry in Norway Sparks Global Curiosity. Here's Why
A kindergarten in a small Norwegian town became the talk of the day when it banned parents from using mobile phones while picking up their children.
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A kindergarten in Norway decided to take an unusual step that sparked global curiosity and even a bit of "writer's envy."
In an era where technology dominates our lives, many educational institutions are looking for ways to maintain human connection and refocus on what truly matters. A kindergarten in a small Norwegian town became the talk of the town when it banned parents from using mobile phones while picking up their children.
At the kindergarten's entrance, the professional staff placed a simple but touching sign that read:
"Please turn off your phones. Your children are happy to see you—give them the full attention they deserve."
After the sign was shared on social media and went viral, the kindergarten manager, Ingrid Lunde, explained to the local media: "We noticed that when children are picked up from kindergarten, parents are often engrossed in their phones and are not giving them the proper attention. Instead of receiving a hug or hearing about their day, the kids stand to the side, frustrated by the attention they receive: a small smile or, worse, complete disregard."
According to her, the sign's goal was clear: "We wanted to encourage parents to dedicate quality time to their children, even if it's just for a few minutes a day, and to remind them that personal connection is more important than any message or call. Unfortunately, this is something we're losing in our screen-dominated generation."
While some parents embraced the decision enthusiastically and praised the initiative, others saw it as an unwarranted interference.
One mother interviewed by the media added that it was initially strange to turn off the phone when picking up the kids. But over time "I realized how much my child appreciates this attention and how much he needs it—and that's the best gift I could give him."
As a result of this beautiful initiative, more and more kindergartens in Norway decided to adopt similar signs, thereby encouraging parents to strengthen their bond with their children.