Tattling

by Margaret Berry Wilson

Wondering how to handle tattling? This practical Responsive Classroom guide will help you develop a more nuanced view of tattling and learn how to help children understand when and how to report problems.

In under 40 pages, veteran educator Margaret Berry Wilson shows you how to manage tattling (reporting to adults on other children’s behavior) without discouraging children from coming to you with serious problems. She suggests using the term “reporting” instead of the emotionally loaded “tattling” and shows you:

Why children report (in part because they’re learning what the rules mean and figuring out how to regulate themselves by regulating others) Proactive steps for teaching children how and when to report (a good way to start: clarify for yourself—and students—what reporting is for: to alert an adult about behavior that could be physically or emotionally hurtful) What to do in the moment when children overreport (two key strategies: assume good intentions and avoid sounding judgmental) How to respond if a child continues to overreport—or underreport (extra practice in knowing when to report may be all that’s needed) Ways to work with parents to help the child how report appropriately (a key first step: explain what you’re teaching and why; you’ll find a sample letter to help you along)

Noticing other common misbehaviors? Check out all the books in this series. Each one zeroes in on a behavior—listening and attention challenges, disengagement, teasing, cliques, tattling, silliness and showing off, too much physical contact, dishonesty, or frustrations and meltdowns—with practical strategies from the Responsive Classroom approach, a research-based way of teaching associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2014