Plato once said that music “is a more potent instrument than any other for education”.

Music is an undeniable source of connection. I have said it before, but we can all take a piece of music from somewhere and connect it to a place, time, event – something. It can evoke emotion, timelessness, peace, memories, even fury, lessons can be learnt, but whatever the means.......the association is there. It’s real and accessible anytime you want it.

In saying this, the same principle can be attached to teaching young children about the effects of bullying & anti-discrimination and the often long term dire consequences associated with it. Using music as the instrument to associate and therefore connect the subject matter, allows children a chance to absorb the message without confrontation, without fear. Making the song fun and interactive is the start, engaging your kids. Actions can be done to consolidate the story line in the verses and chorus etc.

Open discussions about the meaning of the song can then lead to brainstorming and even in the very young, it’s possible they will have ideas on how to cope with it if they become the victim, they witness it etc.

Open the discussion in the classroom or in the home after listening to the song
     •    “What do you think bullying is about”???
     •    “What is meant by ‘being a bully’”?
     •    “When you see someone in a wheelchair, someone who is blind
               (associated with the song) how does this make you feel”?

At home, it may be a simple act like one child taking another child’s toy or pushing someone over, making them cry.
     •    “How does that make you feel when you do that”?
     •    “How do you think it makes the other child feel when you do that”?

With older children, you could bring in racial, gender, cultural, physical, emotional discrimination to name a few.

So often I hear parents and teachers say kids don’t have respect anymore. How can they if they don’t respect themselves first? It is up to us, parents, teachers, caregiverers, grandparents all of us who have values, to teach our kids responsibilities and consequences of their actions.

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Listen to a sound clip of Prue Whoo's It's OK to be Different Song.

          
     Anti-Bullying              Character Education         Positive Attitudes