You raise what I think is a VERY important issue and one that could be nipped in the bud at an early age. Teacheres really need to be invloved with this and NOT allow any "alienation".
I can rmember when my oldest was in kindergarten and there was a boy just as you described. It got to the point that the poor kid couldn't do ANYTHING without being "told on" or corrected by another child....and that in itself and the feelings that accompany it are only going to escalate behaviors.
When this same son was in preschool....he had a tough time during circle time and transitions. I KNOW his teachers suspected SOMETHING would be diagnosed in him.....it wasn't.....he is my "typical" child who just has to fight tooth and nail for my attention
That I was frustrated at how many times I would hear "connor sit down, connor come back, connor don't do that"....it was constantly his name over and over and over.....then the kids started so that the second he moved his legs to a new postion someone would say "connor sit".....I talked with his teachers and they worked so nicely with me.....they stopped saying his name (just the absence of that seemed to make a differnce.....like he wasn't under a spotlight all the time) they told the kids that it wasn't their job to "help" connor.....cause sometimes I feel like they try to use that "positive peer pressure" from kids.....and I think it only backfires so that the kids are now frustrated with the child.....not fair !!
I know in the elemantary school they use sticker charts at Art & Gym.....all the classes have a row and if the WHOLE class is good they get a sticker.....and there is a "competion" among ALL the classes .....well I have heard my kids say...."you have "so & so" in your class.....you will NEVER get a sticker.....how horribel is that ?? I know the point is that the child should want to behave for his peers and all earn the sticker.....but the truth is.....if the sticker isn't earned.....the child is "blamed". I think the idea behind it was good, but only backfires for the child.
Lastly, I think kids need to be taught resect and courtousy of others......I tell my kids....."you don't have to be friends with eveyrone, but you do have to be nice to everyone"
You just have to hope that kids like the one you saw have SOMEONE in their corner rooting and fighting for them.....'cuase they don't stand a chance otherwise
I think of things like Columbine and VA Tech and wonder if those kids could all have been saved by early intervention ... or should I say early attention?
There is such a huge focus on theory and academics. And it would not have to be that complciated, or tied to any faith or ethical system. Just "how to get along" and "how to help others" stuff.
I had one preschool teacher tell me that kids "need to learn to deal with rejection?" because "it is gonna happen?" This was during a discussion of "You Can't Say You Can't Play," which is a GREAT book on the topic!
I volunteer at a preschool and there is a kid who stands out a bit. He is