Stop Tattling! Right?
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Tattling vs Reporting vs Telling
It’s a constant battle for elementary school teachers. “Stop tattling!” we tell our students again and again. But there’s a difference between tattling and reporting, and if we don’t teach kids the difference, they may not speak up and find an adult when someone is in real danger. When all kids hear is “stop tattling,” they may only understand that telling on someone is bad, and not grasp the fact that sometimes telling on a classmate can keep everyone safe. Teaching students to recognize the difference between reporting and tattling will both reduce tattling and train students to speak up when they see something that’s truly dangerous or wrong. Explain that:
Tattling is:
- Trying to get attention.
- Trying to get your own way.
- Trying to get someone in trouble.
- Involving a teacher in a situation you could handle by yourself.
Reporting is:
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Snitching vs Reporting vs Telling
- Alerting an adult to something dangerous or wrong.
- Telling an adult about a situation where someone could get hurt.
- Looking out for everyone’s safety.
- Involving a teacher because you need an adult to help you solve the problem.
Have your students ask themselves, “Am I tattling or reporting?” when they come to you with their issues with other students. If they’re not sure, you can refer them to my “Tattling or Reporting” poster, which you can buy through the link below. The next time you hear that “tattletale tone,” you can simply point to the poster and instruct kids to first decide for themselves whether they’re tattling or reporting.
This issue doesn’t disappear after elementary school. Snitching is a huge issue in middle school and high school. Students loath to be the snitch. Addressing the issue in a proactive and positive way could save a life. Literally.
Click on the photos to purchase the posters.
For more information about conflict resolution and caring communities, see Susan Fitzell’s book, Free The Children, Conflict Education for Strong and Peaceful Minds. Available in both print and electronic versions!
Bring Susan to your campus!
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