Early Childhood Conference hears noted author

With nearly 300 in attendance for several sessions both Friday and Saturday, Coloroso spoke four times at the conference, then headed to Belgium for another speaking engagement early this week.

Coloroso initially spoke on “Parenting With Wit and Wisdom,” but also offered numerous tips for teachers. She said adults should not treat children in ways they would not want to be treated themselves. She explained that children’s dignity must remain intact.

The speaker said parents need to let their children know that they believe in them, trust them and are important to the family structure. She also said parents need to be good listeners.

She advised parents to help their children who have encountered problems repaid the damage or “fix what has happened,” find ways to keep it from happening again and advise the youths on how to make amends, or heal, with the people who have been harmed.

Speaking to teachers, Coloroso said they must like their work, be well prepared, have clear, consistent ground rules and set limits on unacceptable behavior.

She added that every student needs a smile, a hug and a bit of humor each day. In addition, she said teachers need to express confidence in their students’ abilities and expect them to behave properly.

Coloroso said teachers, like parents, should not treat youths in ways they would not want to be treated. For instance, she advised against writing students’ names on the blackboard because of their shortcomings.

In recent years, Coloroso has become especially well-known for her insight and methodology in dealing with bullying. She said conflict is a normal part of growing up, but that bullying shouldn’t have to be.

After months of research on the subject, Coloroso said bullying is about contempt rather than anger. She noted that intolerance toward differences among children in physical, social, intellectual and economic status are hotbeds for bullying.

“If you have a hierarchy of kids and a series of cliques in your school, you’re going to have bullying,” the speaker said. “When kids feel they have the right to control, dominate and subjugate others, problems will occur.”

She added that there is a difference between teasing and taunting. Teasing is what happens between equals, she said, while taunting is an effort to harm and create an imbalance of power.

Although her terms were different, Coloroso said the discipline for bullying is the same as with other behavioral problems. They are restitution, resolution and reconciliation, or the three Rs.

She added that bullying, no matter where it occurs, is challenged when the majority stands up against cruel acts of the minority.