I’M JUST CURIOUS: A teacher’s solution for bullying

by Debbie Walker

Every day I get emails from a local reader, Edgar. Today was no exception. Someone, I don’t have any idea who, has come up with a way to help children understand what their bullying does to another child. It is the best explanation I have seen or heard so far. Please read this and pass it on to everyone! I wish I did know who wrote this, I would be glad to tell everyone. What was written is as follows:

“A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said…they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child; they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home. Pass it on.”

That is word for word what I saw in the email. Open your mind though to other aspects of other areas, even in your own lives. We all have known people who have left scars on us.

Now on to another aspect of a bully situation. This is the first time I have seen anything useful for the victim of a bully. I loved it. And… again remember anytime your feelings were hurt, and see how this might help you even now. I sincerely hope it helps. Let me know, please, what you think.

“There is another version for the one being bullied. Take a $20 bill. Have the child crumple it up, throw it on the floor and get it dirty. Have the child unfold it and ask them what it’s worth. It’s still $20. No matter how beat up you get in life, no matter how much others trample on you, it does not diminish your worth one cent. Your value always remains intact.”

So often when I read something it just sends my mind in a whirl and off to all aspects this information could possibly help. I will be interested in what your thoughts may be.

As usual I am just curious as to how far this information will take us. I am hoping parents, aunts, uncles, etc., will pass this information on to the children in their life. Teachers, I know your classroom time is so limited these years but please do take a few minutes for this information. You may be surprised by your class’s reaction. I’d love to hear about it.

Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com with any of your questions and comments. Thanks for reading!