A lesson to share with everyone.
Today in one of our classes I introduced the children to two apples (the children didn't know this, but before the class I had repeatedly dropped one of the apples on the floor, you couldn't tell, both apples looked perfect). We talked about the apples and the children described how both apples looked the same; both were red, were of similar size and looked juicy enough to eat.
I picked up the apple I'd dropped on the floor and started to tell the children how I disliked this apple, that I thought it was disgusting, it was a horrible colour and the stem was just too short. I told them that because I didn't like it, I didn't want them to like it either, so they should call it names too.
Some children looked at me like I was insane, but as we passed the apple around the circle all of the children took turns calling it names.
We then passed another apple around and started to say kind words to it, 'You're a lovely apple', 'Your skin is beautiful', 'What a beautiful colour you are' etc.
I then held up both apples, and again, we talked about the similarities and differences, there was no change, both apples still looked the same on the outside.
I then cut the apples open. The apple we'd been kind to was clear, fresh and juicy inside.
The apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside.
The children saw immediately the difference between the two apples. I explained that the apple, the bruises, the mush and the broken bits is what is happening inside every one of us when someone mistreats us with their words or actions.
When people are bullied, they feel horrible inside and sometimes don't show or tell others how they are feeling. If we hadn't have cut that apple open, we would never have known how much pain we had caused it.
Unlike an apple, we have the ability to stop this from happening. We can teach children that it's not ok to say unkind things to each other and discuss how it makes others feel. We can teach our children to stand up for each other and to stop any form of bullying, just as one little girl did today when she refused to say unkind words to the apple.
The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.”
Words by: Mum in the Moment