From the Counselor’s Corner

Coping with teasing

v Strategies for parents

·   Listen to your child’s story

·   Validate their feelings

·   Do not overreact

·   Teach coping strategies

v Coping strategies parents can teach their kids

·   Ignore: ignoring the teasing can be an effective coping strategy.  Acting as if nothing happened or walking away can reduce further teasing.

·   Be assertive: teach kids to use “I” statements.  For example, a child can say, “I feel upset when you make fun of my shoes.  I would like you to stop.”  Using “I” statements can be especially effective in a situations that is supervised.

·   Visualization: teach kids to visualize words “bouncing off” them.  This technique empowers them to feel like they can refuse put-downs. 

·   Ask for help: asking an adult for assistance or intervention is always an option for a child being teased.

-Easing the Teasing: How Parents Can Help Their Children, Eric Digest.  http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-1/teasing.html