During this month's lesson, 1st grade classes viewed a short video called Don’t Call Me Names. In this lesson, students saw vignettes illustrating a variety situations that involve calling someone a name or names. When name-calling is insulting and mean, it is easy to identify as wrong. But what about nicknames that aren’t inherently cruel, but that bother us nonetheless? Sometimes nicknames that are seemingly flattering can take on a sarcastic or mocking tone. Even affectionate nicknames can become uncomfortable.
Key points in this lesson:
- Name calling hurts
- Hitting doesn’t solve problems, it makes them worse
- Discussing how you feel may help
- Ignoring the behavior, not acknowledging the name-calling is another strategy
- Asking a trusted adult for help if you need to
Our class discussion touched upon many of these issues. Several students related personal experiences of being labeled with a nickname they didn’t like or felt they had outgrown. Respect was the underlying theme in this discussion. Students brainstormed ways to be assertive without being combative when another person uses language or names that they are not comfortable with. Using a calm, firm tone, looking another in the eye and sticking up for oneself takes practice. Open a dialogue with your child on how they can respond constructively in these types of situations. Ask them what resonated from this lesson, and maybe try some role-playing to give them practice.
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