Parents made to follow 'insane' applause rule at kindergarten assembly

“WHO TF IS THE PRINCIPAL, STALIN?!??”

Let’s have a round of applause. Actually no scratch that. A single solitary clap will do. 

That’s the instructions parents were given during a graduation ceremony for kindergarteners in America. 

Mum. Angelica Pueblas, shared the clip to TikTok of the occasion which should have been a celebration. However it quickly turned confusing.  

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“Rationing claps is insane" 

The now viral moment has been dubbed “dystopian” by viewers and has raked up more than five million views and 19,000 comments.  

Parents watching on as their children took to the stage were asked to hold most of their applause. 

@angelicapueblas1

What the helly #fyp

♬ original sound - angelicapueblas1

As each student took the stage they were greeted with the sound of one, singular clap. 

“We are only allowed to clap one time per child,” Angelica wrote on the video.  

Critics brought all their wit with them when it came to the comment section, many left completely flabbergasted by the display. 

“Rationing claps is insane,” one commenter pointed out. 

A second teased: “A round of applaud.” 

“What happens if you clap twice?” a third joked. 

“WHO TF IS THE PRINCIPAL, STALIN?!??” another exclaimed. 

Image: TikTok/angelicapueblas1

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“It’s tough out there for the little ones.”

While some teased and questioned the unique method of crowd control, many saw the empathy in the request.  

It was pointed out that not every child has a crowd to cheer them on during moments of success. The ‘one-clap rule’ prevents any feelings of jealousy, emotional rejection or bullying among the cohort of kids. 

“Not every kid has a village at home. (For) some of their family can’t attend, and then you have big families cheer… there’s one kid that has no one and it’s dead silent for them,” she reasoned. 

“It’s tough out there for the little ones.” 

Another echoed her point with a personal story: “I seen this happen to my brother’s graduation. We were told that sometimes kids don’t have their parents present and when it’s their turn it’s sometimes silent. They don’t want the kids feeling bad or get bullied by other kids.”  

Others pointed out that it could be catering to a child with sensory deprivation or for keeping the ceremony on schedule. 

And for the Kidspot team, it was a sight that took us by surprise but the heart behind it was evident. 

“It’s cute and a nice idea and also odd all at the same time,” Clara thought. 

Cassidy agreed; “I think it's hilarious, but could also be a good thing! It's a time saver, and also ensures that every child gets the same amount of applause. I think maybe a three-clap policy could be better.”  

However Leah disagreed, thinking it was unnecessary. 

“I think it’s silly. Leave the applause to the end if it’s an issue. Most places do that now anyway - and parents still bloody clap!” she insisted. 

Originally published as Parents made to follow 'insane' applause rule at kindergarten assembly