Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Is it Teasing or Bullying?

Teasing vs. Bullying

The Second Annual Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit, will be held on September 21-22, 2011. As a nanny you might be wondering if your charge is a bully or is being bullied. I know a lot of kids tease one another and I often wonder if some of the teasing hurts my charge's feelings.

What is the difference between teasing and bullying? There is none actually, if the intent of the teaser and the perception of the receiver are different. It does not matter if the speaker means no harm but the person to whom the remarks are aimed at perceives the comments as hurtful.

Unintended consequences may occur when thoughtless things are said to a growing, naive child.

It is unacceptable to be intentionally cruel to someone, but unintended and mindless comments and behavior can be just as harmful. Nastiness and thoughtlessness can exist anywhere, from playgrounds and bathrooms to emails and Facebook.

The best nanny must be alert to the effects of teasing and bullying. These are negative experiences that do not enhance lives but debases those who do it and those who experience it.

Do your charges get teased or tease other kids?

1 comment:

Lori said...

The dad teases the kids constantly. The kids r not mature enough to make jokes appropriately + end up hurting people's feelings all the time. It hurts my feelings too. They think they r being funny but it is mean.