Good teasing bad teasing

No one wants their child to be bullied, but sometimes children have a hard time seeing the difference between bullying and teasing. While some teasing can lead to bullying, other kinds of teasing are a healthy part of child to child interaction.

Good teasing is called pro-social teasing and it is playful and fun. Such teasing means the recipient is included in a group as the teasing serves as a code for friendship and bonding. It can also be a playful way of airing differences.

Bad teasing, sometimes called anti-social teasing is a way to purposely hurt or humiliate someone. It is often excused away as “just teasing” but can lead to bullying if it continues over time.

Use the chart above to help your child to distinguish between good and bad teasing. Teach them to walk away from anti-social teasing and don’t let them get away with using it themselves. Children should know the difference between laughing with someone and laughing at someone. They should also be held accountable for stopping any teasing – and apologizing – if the teasing was not received in the way it was intended.

Learning this skill means your child has learned empathy and such kindness is the result of their God-given faith.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5: 22-24