Choose a stuffed
bear or other animal to listen to children’s complaints and tattles. Explain that when you are busy they can
always tell Teddy their problems.
He’s always there waiting to be their friend.
Here’s another
great idea for tattle tales.
Put a photograph of the President on your wall and say, “I’m just your
teacher. Why don’t you tell the
President?” You won’t believe it,
but the children will walk over and talk to the picture!
You can also put
an old cell phone on your desk for children to tell their concerns. Explain that you’ll listen to your
messages at the end of the day.
Or, get a spiral
notebook and write “Things the Teacher Needs to Know” on the cover. When children come to tattle hand them
the book and say, “Write it all down and don’t leave out a thing.” If they say, “I can’t write,” respond
with, “Well, just draw a picture and don’t leave out a thing!”
One of my favorite
stories about tattle tales came from a teacher many years ago. When her students tried to tattle she’d
smile and say, “I’m sorry. Today’s
not tattle tale day. Wait until
May 14th and then you can tell me.”
Another teacher
said she used the concept of an Oreo cookie for tattle tales. The child reporting had to say one nice
thing, then the tale, then another nice thing.
Hope one of these
ideas will work for you!!!