Our Words Hold Power and Meaning

Last week we reflected on our attitudes and how they should not change how we treat others. Along with our attitudes, our words matter.

It is easy to get caught up in how we are feeling and we forget the words we are using. 

For our younger students, the words that they hear, become the words that they say. For our older students the words that we say become the thoughts that they know and believe.

During the month of October I have been presenting bullying awareness and prevention education to students. Part of this year's lessons has focused on the words that we use when addressing the topic of bullying.

Use the word "Bully" is a label that can do more harm to someone who already is in need of help. While someone may be engaging in bullying activities, we need to ensure we are teaching them change is possible and they are not simply a label of their actions.

When we make the switch to "engaged in bullying behaviors" we show the student that their behaviors do not have define them. Behaviors are more easily changed than someone's belief about who they believe people think they are, or who they see themselves as.

Our students are not "bullies" our students engage in mean behaviors that we need to address and assess and ensue do not turn into bullying behaviors.

To help us remember to check our words there is a mindfulness practice called STOP.

S: Stop what you're doing (or about to say)

T: Take a breath

O: Observe your inner and outer worlds (observe what you might say)

P: Proceed (with the most mindful choice)

I want to share one last thought regarding our words and what small ears hear...