Yesterday, one friend posted this article http://childrensmedicalcenter.blogspot.com/2010/11/costume-is-just-costume-and-bullying-is.html where parents, not children, were being unkind about a child's costume. Then another friend posted how rude customers are, apparently forgetting all manners. There is a group called Social Smarts (http://www.socialsmarts.com/,http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/SocialSmarts?v=info) that has designed an entire curriculum for schools (from toddlers to teenagers) to teach appropriate social skills in order to create a better learning environment and all but eliminate bullying. I remember in elementary school we had a slogan, complete with buttons, "Manners count at SCS." So when did "we" stop using manners? When did "we" forget social skills? Did "we" stop teaching them?
I don't know about you, but I'm starting to see a connection. Bullying is getting worse. Basic manners and social skills are becoming a rarity. What if we respected one another enough to use our manners—please, thank you, excuse me; could we see a decrease in bullying? Sure, sometimes we have to get a little pushy with sales people (the ones who are more concerned about making money than about the customer), but how about if we start with kindness and see how far it takes us.
Hmm…
Excellent post! ... and you are right, there is a connection. Corinne Gregory, the President of Social Smarts has been talking about it for a long time now. I am so happy you wrote about the work she is doing. Pass it on far and wide.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria! I am a fan of Social Smarts on Facebook. I am on a mission to build up self-esteem in others and take down the bully.
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