A shocking incident at a preschool has sparked outrage among parents after a teacher placed a “sleepy sticker” on a young child, allegedly to make fun of her for being tired during class. What seemed to the teacher like a harmless joke quickly turned into a firestorm, as the girl’s parents are now calling the act “a crime”, saying their daughter was publicly shamed and emotionally affected by the labeling.
The video, which has now spread across social media, shows the little girl slumped over on her nap mat, appearing exhausted. Beside her is the now-infamous yellow sticker, decorated with a cartoon face wearing sunglasses and the words “ZZZ.” While some might think the sticker is playful, the parents insist it was anything but. According to them, the teacher placed the sticker on the child to highlight her tiredness in front of the class, making it seem like she was lazy or not paying attention.
The parents say their daughter came home confused and embarrassed, unsure why she was singled out. They claim the teacher failed to consider the child’s emotional well-being and that even small acts like this can affect a preschooler’s confidence and sense of belonging. “She’s only a baby,” her mother said. “Labeling her like that is humiliating. You don’t embarrass a child for being tired. It’s not funny — it’s harmful.”
Experts have weighed in, noting that young children are extremely sensitive to labels and negative reinforcement. Something as simple as a sticker can shape how a child sees themselves. “Preschoolers don’t process sarcasm or jokes the way adults do,” said one early-childhood psychologist. “A teacher’s job is to protect, nurture, and support — not to mock or assign identities that could stick with them long-term.”
The preschool administration responded after the parents filed a complaint. While they have not disclosed whether disciplinary action was taken, they stated that staff members are expected to uphold strict guidelines regarding respect, emotional safety, and positive reinforcement. They also acknowledged that the situation was “handled internally” — a statement that has done little to calm the public.
Online reactions have only amplified the controversy. Many parents say the teacher’s behavior crossed a line and could even qualify as emotional mistreatment. Others argue that it highlights a bigger issue: how educators handle children who show signs of tiredness, stress, or overstimulation at school. “Kids get tired,” one commenter wrote. “That’s normal. But shaming them? That’s unacceptable.”
Supporters of the parents point out that labeling children — even with stickers — can have long-lasting consequences. A child who is told they’re “sleepy,” “slow,” or “difficult” may internalize those messages, shaping their future behavior and self-worth.
As of now, the parents are demanding accountability, calling for formal action and stricter rules to prevent similar treatment of other children. They say they hope no other family has to experience humiliation disguised as classroom discipline.
The debate continues, with many insisting that even the smallest gestures can greatly impact a child — and that compassion should always come before convenience.
Leave a Reply