Can a 4 year old be IGNORANT?

Comments: 53

Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Dec 2, 2008, 3:52pm EST

I don't think a young child can't be ignorant.

Pay it Forward.

Trista (Break this bittersweet spell on me) W. Dec 2, 2008, 3:53pm EST

I wouldn't think that a 4 yr old could be ingnorant. they are still learning. Its not hat they are ignorant.

Heather C. Dec 2, 2008, 3:55pm EST

Sounds like those boys are rude. No, I don't think a 4 year old could be classified as ignorant.

Michelle C. Dec 2, 2008, 3:56pm EST

Yes... Any child of any age, even adults can be ignorant... Ignorant means - haven't been taught. It doesn't mean "stupid" as many refer as the definition.

Tiffany G. Dec 2, 2008, 3:58pm EST

I dont think so.. sounds to me like the boys arent sure what that means.

Claudia B. Dec 2, 2008, 3:58pm EST

I'M SURE IN HIS NINE-YEAR OLD MIND, HE THOUGHT HE WAS USING THE PROPER WORD FOR SOMEONE UNEDUCATED ABOUT AN ISSUE. HIS VOCABULARY SKILLS NEED TWEAKING THAT'S ALL.

Michelle C. Dec 2, 2008, 3:58pm EST

I don't find it cruel at all, taking in consideration the correct definition - its a statement and not cruel or mean at all. It just means, haven't been taught and I wouldn't have consequenced the boys at all. I would just make the statement- we're all ignorant and haven't been taught certain aspects which is the truth. For ex. I can be ignorant in mathematics only because, I haven't been taught, not necessarily meaning I am stupid.

☼ Lisa ☼ G. Dec 2, 2008, 4:00pm EST

No I don't think a child that age can be ignorant

Abby N. Dec 2, 2008, 4:02pm EST

Maybe ask them if they know what ignorant means and ask them to tell you what they think it means? And tell them that is how people learn, by asking questions? I'm not sure they know what it means or maybe heard someone use the term the wrong way. I don't know if they said it rudely or not.

Anne Marie A. Dec 2, 2008, 4:03pm EST

It's just rude

Rebecca Florido Dec 2, 2008, 4:03pm EST

I don't what the 4 year old did but Ignorant is not meant to be a rude remark it just simply means that the person has not yet been taught or is lacking knowledge in a certian area...the 9 year old may have used the word correctly but I would not take it to heart kids can say things they don't mean.

DiAnA D. Dec 2, 2008, 4:07pm EST

i would have asked him if he knew what the word meant!

Marilyn M. Dec 2, 2008, 4:17pm EST

Sure a child can be ignorant. Ignorant just means that one is uninformed or lacking knowledge or sophistication. That defines most children (and many adults) at some point. I would still probably tell an older child not to call a younger child ignorant, because it's unkind. And because so many people mistakenly use the word "ignorant" for "stupid" and it's never right to call another person stupid (even if they are).

April H. Dec 2, 2008, 4:21pm EST

Although he may be correct, I would tell him that it isn't proper to call someone that.

sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Dec 2, 2008, 4:22pm EST

Yes the child could be ignorant, so can a 9 year old who says that to a younger child and then argues with an adult.

Debra H. Dec 2, 2008, 4:22pm EST

Ignorant means unknowledgeable - usually about a specific area ot thing, i.e. While I am well versed and quite knowledgeable about cooking, food prep and fine dining - I am ignorant about car repairs, sports and how a satellite dish operates.

We are all ignorant about something and may-haps the little name caller should have his areas of ignorance gently pointed out to him as an example of what the word he is using really means.

Leah Christensen Dec 2, 2008, 4:31pm EST

I think that the 9 year old is ignorant, if he thinks he cas an argument! You're right. She's 4 years old, and has not advanced to their level of (supposed) maturity yet. As a 9 year old, he should know that.

Candy S. Dec 2, 2008, 4:34pm EST

Those twins are snots.

Sandra H. Dec 2, 2008, 4:37pm EST

I would have more of a problem with the nine year old arguing with an adult.

Joe T. Dec 2, 2008, 4:38pm EST

It's generally not a good idea to argue with a nine year old. The issue isn't whether the nine year old could be right. The issue is that a nine year old needs to be taught how to interact with a four year old. Calling the child names is not acceptable from anyone.

tammie p. Dec 2, 2008, 4:57pm EST

no they are just learning

Susan *Brian's girl * H. Dec 2, 2008, 5:07pm EST

Here are some Christmas points for you. Paying it Forward.

Carol Lloyd Dec 2, 2008, 5:09pm EST

thanks for sharing

Netty B. Dec 2, 2008, 5:09pm EST

Glitter Text Words - http://www.glittertextlive.com

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Netty B. Dec 2, 2008, 5:10pm EST

Name calling is not acceptable.

Donna S. Dec 2, 2008, 5:11pm EST

I would have punished him for calling her ignorant then punished him for arguing. Thats mean.

Janet "Jax" B. Dec 2, 2008, 5:16pm EST

I agree with Michelle C....we are all ignorant about something....and he's probably correct...and he didn't call her stupid.

Janet "Jax" B. Dec 2, 2008, 5:17pm EST

Though the talking back would need to be delt with.

Janie E. Dec 2, 2008, 5:21pm EST

A 4 yr old doesn't know what that word means!!! The kid is WRONG!!!

Dorothy H. Dec 2, 2008, 5:24pm EST

He obviously heard the term used by some adult, and is repeating the usage.

Anyone can be ignorant, but it is generally not exactly the correct word when referring to a child, or a condition the child may be in, at any time during it's youth. It generally refers to an adult that is old enough to know better, or to have gained knowledge beyond a certain level, yet still holds to magical, or supersticious thinking, especially if and when knowledge is readily available.

♥♥LoViNg♥LiFe♥ ♥♥ Dec 2, 2008, 5:25pm EST

no for sure

Elle L. Dec 2, 2008, 5:42pm EST

There is no way a 4year old can be considered truly ignorant.

He's 9, he doesn't know what he's saying. If you take the word for only it's definition then yes a 4 year old is ignorant, and so is a 6 month old for that matter. He must have heard that word at took it literally. He needs to be taught what "appropriate" means.

DesertDarlene L. Dec 2, 2008, 5:44pm EST

Well, ignorant basically means "lack of knowledge" about something. So everyone is ignorant in one way or another.

But, the real issue here is the name-calling, which is not very nice at all.

rainne chandler Dec 2, 2008, 5:51pm EST

he was a bit rude

CyberGwen ! Dec 2, 2008, 6:05pm EST

It doesn't sound nice but by definition, it is true. It was better than them saying "stupid" or something worse.

Penny M. Dec 2, 2008, 6:13pm EST

Thanks for posting to Endless Points

Pamela K. Dec 2, 2008, 6:25pm EST

that is rude - and no I do not think a 4yo can be ignorant

Dagmara H. Dec 2, 2008, 6:39pm EST

No, I don't think 4 year old can be ingnorant

Brittney R. Dec 2, 2008, 7:09pm EST

If he knows the true definition of ignorant, he may very well have been right, by definition only. It is rude and out of line for a 9 year old to talk to a younger child that way. Even if he was trying to prove a point about making a "correct statement" I think arguing for the sake of arguing is uncalled for too.

To me, it sounds like maybe he overheard the word, or even a discussion of some sort about making these "correct statements" possibly even from a teacher in school. Since I don't know the whole situation as it played out, it's hard to judge what the boy meant.

Krissy spreading my wings hoping to soar W. Dec 2, 2008, 7:23pm EST

"Ignorant" by definition is "a lack of knowlege". Stupid, in my opinion, however, is an unwillingness to learn.

Alta B. Dec 2, 2008, 7:56pm EST

I think the child that said it needs to define it and then prove it.

Larry H. Dec 2, 2008, 8:36pm EST

A 4 year old isn't old enough to be ignorant

Donna T. Dec 3, 2008, 12:31am EST

True or not, it does not matter. It's impolite to speak of a person as "ignorant".

And that is that!

strongthrufight E. Dec 3, 2008, 3:30am EST

I believe anyone can be ill informed, though the children should be taught not to resort to name calling..The 4yr old doesn't understand the concept of what they are calling her.

edna r. Dec 3, 2008, 4:32am EST

I do not think ignorant is the right word to use for a 4 year old when they do not know something. The definition is "lack of knowledge." However, at four, they still have so much to learn, so to say they are ignorant, just does not seem like the right word to use.

Alex In Wonderland Dec 3, 2008, 10:34am EST

I say yes, they can be. But like Edna says, it doesn't seem like the right word for a 4 year old.

kelldogg ! Dec 3, 2008, 11:44am EST

yes, a 4yr old could be ignorant. however, i give mad props to the 9yr old with the arrogant and extensive vocabulary . . . could have just used dummy instead!

kelldogg ! Dec 3, 2008, 11:45am EST

just goes to show that he's getting a good education!

April H. Dec 3, 2008, 3:00pm EST

I think Claudia answered you best

Monica H. Dec 3, 2008, 6:43pm EST

If the nine year olds were in my care, I would sit and remind them how it feels to be called names. My daughter who is almost five has called her baby brother names before and I address it right away.

Amy C. Dec 5, 2008, 12:25pm EST

kids will be kids and they repeat what they hear.

I am sure the 4 yr old was just acting her age. The boys probably do not understand that.

Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Dec 5, 2008, 4:56pm EST

The boy probably doesn't even know the definition of the word.

Can a 4 year old be IGNORANT?

Comments: 53

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