Focus on Bullying: A Prevention Program for Elementary - Education

If Raymond did nothing or was passive, as our visitor showed us, what might Leon
think?
Yes, Leon would probably think that he could do more things to bother Raymond,
because Raymond won’t do anything about it. Then Leon would be likely to bother
Raymond again and again. That’s why passive behaviour doesn’t work to stop others
from bothering you.
Sometimes you might feel an impulse to be passive, too. You could feel scared and
think that you don’t want to get the other person mad at you. You might hope that if
you did nothing, the problem would just go away and they would leave you alone.
But as we have seen, passive behaviour doesn’t work to solve problems.
Raymond has another choice. He could control his angry impulses by telling himself
to be calm, to stop and think. He could control his scared impulses to do nothing by
thinking, “I can do something. It’s not fair for him to take my ball.” He could be
assertive. He could stand up for himself and say what he wants. Assertive behaviour
helps to solve problems and change things.
To be assertive, Raymond would have to stand tall, look at Leon, and use a clear
strong voice. He would say Leon’s name, name Leon’s behaviour and tell what he
wants to happen. Raymond might say, “Leon, you’re stopping our game. Give back
the ball now.”
� Have the adult role play assertive behaviour and complete the chart. Ask the
students:
• What did you see?
• What did you hear?
• What would the results be?
I’ll record your thoughts on the chart.
� Briefly compare the charts and review the differences between aggressive,
passive, and assertive behaviour.
In the next lesson you will have the opportunity to practise assertive behaviour.
204 Grades 2-3
that he could just take
Raymond’s things and
Raymond won’t do
anything