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If we saw kids throwing rocks at each other or at windows, we would immediately react, because we can see the damage it causes.
Even if a rock doesn’t land, we understand that getting hit by a rock can be dangerous and might break something important.
Emotional rocks like teasing can shatter the windows of a vulnerable child’s soul.
Tell kids when their words or actions can be hurtful. Coach them to practice saying something respectful and doing something safer instead.
Stop jokes like, ‘You’re so gay… That’s retarded… You’re fat.”
Even if everyone in the room says it’s okay, explain that putdowns like these are hurtful.
Disrespectful language, even if there is no bad intention, has no place in a healthy, caring environment.
Teach kids that “making fun” of anyone in hurtful ways is cruel. Remember that disrespectful or threatening gestures, sounds, and facial expressions are also ways to throw emotional stones.
Speaking Up About Putdowns describes how to address common negative reactions when someone is told that his or her language is hurtful.
Please share this Bullying Emergency Action with others.
Published: December 15, 2011 | Last Updated: May 31, 2012
Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director
Kidpower Founder and Executive Irene van der Zande is a master at teaching safety through stories and practices and at inspiring others to do the same. Her child protection and personal safety expertise has been featured by USA Today, CNN, Today Moms, the LA Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Publications include: cartoon-illustrated Kidpower Safety Comics and Kidpower Teaching Books curriculum; Bullying: What Adults Need to Know and Do to Keep Kids Safe; the Relationship Safety Skills Handbook for Teens and Adults; Earliest Teachable Moment: Personal Safety for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults: Personal Safety, Self-Protection, Confidence, and Advocacy for Young People, and the Amazon Best Seller Doing Right by Our Kids: Protecting Child Safety at All Levels.
