Other children do not like to talk to the rejected child and a rejected child often has difficulties talking to others as well. When they try, they think that something will work and make them popular but it usually results in further distancing by the other children. This child may react with aggression or seem down and lonely as a result.

School Refusal: Kids Don’t Want to Go to School

“My tummy and head hurts. I don’t think I can go to school. I should probably stay home with you”, plead the little boy to his mother. “Honey, I know you don’t feel good but you need to try to go”, replied his mother. “But my head hurts! It is just pounding! I can’t go…

Teacher-Child Pre-K Relations Predict Peer Victimization

This School Mental Health Minute episode focuses on how teacher-child relationships in pre-K predict children who will be victimized by classmates.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKhbw-L_s4Q&feature=youtu.be We are featuring a journal article this week titled Teacher-child relationship, child withdrawal and aggression in the development of peer victimization. Young children can be targeted by their classmates starting in pre-kindergarten.…

Who is Mad, Sad, Glad, or Scared?

Several 4-year olds are playing in a daycare. All of a sudden, Stevie grabs a toy out of Johnny’s hand. Johnny screams, “That’s mine!” Stevie responds by swinging the toy and hitting Johnny in the arm. Johnny immediately bursts into tears as a daycare provider comes swooping into the fray. The daycare worker quickly figures…