A debate sparked by a letter to the Guardian, suggesting the viral 'six-seven' phrase represents a decline in logic among pupils, has been robustly challenged by teachers and commentators. They argue that such shared silliness is a normal, healthy part of childhood and can actually strengthen the learning environment.
The educational value of shared silliness
In response to the original critique, Alexsandro Pinzon, a teacher from Mitcham, London, put forward a compelling defence. He stated that from a developmental perspective, this kind of behaviour is not only normal but beneficial. "Children and young people often adopt shared phrases, jokes or nonsensical trends as a way of belonging to a group," he explained. "The meaning is not always the point; participation is."
Pinzon emphasised that understanding these trends is crucial for building classroom rapport. When educators acknowledge pupils' lived realities instead of dismissing them, it fosters trust. This connection, he argues, is fundamental: pupils become more engaged, willing to take risks, and receptive to guidance when they feel their world is recognised.
Historical precedents and the defence of nonsense
Other correspondents echoed this sentiment, drawing parallels with past fads. Torran Turner from Littleborough, Greater Manchester, recalled how earlier generations found humour in Dick and Dom's "bogeys" or the simple word "pants". He urged adults not to "pooh-pooh it from on high," warning that doing so tells children their joy is wrong and "steal[s] a little bit of their childhoods." His conclusion was simple: "Let people have nice things."
Ted Watson from Brighton pointed to a richer cultural heritage for such behaviour, linking it to the illogical and nonsensical traditions of surreal and absurd comedy, even Dadaism. He shared a personal anecdote from the 1960s where his whole class would spread their fingers on their heads when a teacher entered the room—"no idea why." This, he suggests, shows such acts are a timeless part of school life.
A note on language and perspective
Not all feedback focused solely on the craze itself. Mike Hine from Kingston upon Thames offered a tangential critique, suggesting the real issue might be linguistic inflation. He questioned the promotion of logic while using the term "students" for primary schoolchildren, a word he believes should be reserved for those in further or higher education.
The consensus from the responding letters is clear: harmless humour does not indicate a lack of intelligence. As Alexsandro Pinzon concluded, hope in schools is fostered through kindness, honesty, and also through laughter and shared experiences. Allowing space for these playful moments, built on mutual respect, ultimately strengthens the educational process rather than undermining it. The 'six-seven' phenomenon, like countless fads before it, is seen by these contributors as a facet of social development and identity formation—a process that doesn't always need to be logical or purpose-driven to be valuable.
