Transform Tattling Into Effective Communication:
A Guide for Kindergarten Teachers
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An innovative new program shows you how to stop children from tattling
and start communicating effectively!
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"Because I don't have to be a referee between my
students so much I have more instruction time."
- Shelia Burke, Kindergarten Teacher, CVUSD
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Date:Friday
From: Pam Golden
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End the tattle battles in your kindergarten classroom
through empowerment not control . . .
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Why do kids tattle? Some people say children tattle to get others in trouble or to gain attention. But is that really the reason? Young children are working out how to get along in the world. They want to know what's right and what's wrong and are anxious to please.
When a child says, "Joanie cheated on the test," or "Raul won't let me have a turn with the ball." he may be trying to make sure adults’ rules are followed or that there is fair play. To label it tattling, or disregard the complaint can confuse a child and have him or her lose confidence about what's right. It can also close off communication, prevent valuable learning, and put up a wall between them, you and other students, causing more hurt feelings and alienation.
Children need to learn "who" to report their concerns to.
As a bullying prevention consultant to elementary schools, I have worked with over 15,000 students and 700 teachers. Teaching children to speak up when there is possible danger is one of the keys to preventing harm. However, frequent tattling can interfere with recognizing important communications.
Yet, a firm "No Tattling" rule can create hidden harm, as third grade teacher, Mrs.Samson found out. By accident, she discovered one of her students had remained silent rather than "tattle" as he was continually tormented by six classmates.
What is the real problem?
Young children don't always know the difference between telling an adult about a potentially dangerous situation and how to work out simpler problems with each other.
"This program has made such a positive difference in my classroom, I have already put it in my folder to teach as soon as school starts next year. "
- Rosa Juarez, Kindergarten Teacher |
Empower Children with Principles Instead of Tactics
Many times children tattle because they feel helpless to fix a problem themselves and want your help.
The key to transforming tattling into effective communication is teach children simple principles of communication. They learn they have the power to make good decisions and work out problems themselves, which builds their self-esteem and confidence.
| Along comes Lulu and Jose . . . |
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Lulu and Jose are kindergarten characters in a picture book who learn to tell their concerns to the right person and how to do it respectfully. Jose tattles on Lulu and she doesn't like it at all. She decides she is going to tattle on Jose too. However, her teacher, Mrs. Ruby, has another plan - she teaches the principles of reporting. Lulu stops tattling and learns to distinguish between problems she can handle on her on and those she needs to report to an adult.
"I really like the friendly koala pictures. I like that it talks specifically about who to report to. The 3 and then me is especially good because it gives kids the idea that they need to try different ways to solve their own problems before going for help. I like that you also covered times when they need to get help from an adult immediately which does not mean they are tattling but trying to get help."
- Susan Green, Third Grade Teacher PSUSD
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- Teachers will get valuable information -
When kids learn what they need to
report to whom, they make sure to tell you when danger is happening.
Builds children's self-efficacy - The heart of all action is "knowing you can do it."
When children learn they have the ability to work out problems with each other
on their own, it gives them a sense of power and ability that affects how they
relate to the world in a positive way.
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I knew the program was working when Ernie, one of my students cut in line in front of Jimmy. With an angry look on his face, Jimmy turned to me and started to tattle on Ernie. When he saw me, he stopped, looked at Ernie and said, "You cut in line. Please go to the end." Ernie turned and went to the end of the line. I was so impressed with how both kids handled the problem, I acknowledged them in class and had each one put a learning mark on the chart. You should have seen their faces, they were both so proud of themselves. It was a lesson for the whole class.
- Mrs. Wrath, Kindergarten Teacher, CVUSD
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Tattling can be an annoying and distracting problem. When children learn who to report their concerns to and how to work out problems with each other, they feel better about themselves, have better relationships with other children, are kinder, and learn more because they can put their attention on their studies. That results in better learning and teaching.
My classroom is much more pleasant now because
children are working out problems among themselves.
- Mr. Martinez, Kindergarten Teacher |
"My students know to tell me when someone can get hurt and they know they can work out some problems themselves."
-Mrs. Samson, Third Grade Teacher PSUSD |
When you buy "Lulu Learns About Reporting" you will get a book you
can instantly download, along with simple instructions on how to
implement this program in your classroom immediately.
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If you follow the program, I guarantee it will reduce tattling in your classroom by more than 50%, increase your enjoyment of teaching, and give you more instruction time.
If using the principles in "Lulu Learns to Report" doesn't cut tattling in half
within 30 days and create a friendlier, happier classroom,
I will cheerfully give you 100% of your money back just for trying the program. |
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