My five-year-old son is fascinated by fire. We live in a rural community and the bigger kids often make bonfires, especially in the summer. But lately my son has been stealing matches and trying to make his own fires in the backyard with his friends. Then yesterday, I walked into his room and he and a friend were trying to burn some paper in the corner.

I sent the boy home and told my son that I would hit him if he played with fire again. But I don't think he got the message. Should I take him to the fire department for them to talk to him? Or is this interest in fire normal for a boy his age?