"I am beautiful!!!"

One of my favorite things that happens a few times each day is when I ask one of my students, "How are you today?" and they reply (usually pretty enthusiastically), "I am beautiful!"

I don't have the heart to tell them this isn't exactly a standard response for native-speakers -- nor do I think I could explain the sublteties of why to one of my 6 year olds... so instead I would just have to say: "No, you cannot say I am beautiful" ... and let it stand at that. I just can't do it.

And really.. since it usually makes me giggle a little when they say it - it actually encourages them to say it more. I don't know what this says about my teaching.

Happy Monday!
-Paige