Reporting or Tattling

This week, our students are learning the difference between tattling and reporting. We want to help them become confident problem-solvers who know when to handle small problems on their own and when it’s important to ask an adult for help.

🐷 Key Idea

We’re using the phrase:
“Don’t squeal unless it’s a big deal!”
This helps students remember that not every small problem needs adult intervention, but big or unsafe situations do.

What We Covered

• Tattling: Sharing something small to get someone in trouble.
  Example: “He’s using a red crayon instead of a blue one.”

• Reporting: Speaking up when someone could be hurt, treated unfairly, or something serious happens.
  Example: “She pushed someone on the playground.”

Problem-Solving Steps

We taught students a simple 4-step process:

1. Stop and Think – Is this a small problem or a big one?

2. Talk it Out – Use kind words to try and solve it yourself.

3. Ask for Help – See if a friend has ideas.

4. Tell an Adult – If it’s unsafe, unfair, or too big to handle alone.

Practice Scenarios

Students practiced thinking about situations and deciding if they should:

• Solve it themselves,

• Ask a friend, or

• Report it to an adult.

How Parents Can Support at Home

• Use the phrase “Is this a big deal or a small deal?” when your child comes to you with a problem.

• Encourage them to try Steps 1–3 before coming to you.

• Praise them for solving small problems on their own.

• Remind them it’s always the right choice to tell an adult if someone is unsafe or hurt.

Takeaway

We want our students to be problem-solvers who think before they “squeal.” Small problems can often be solved with kind words and teamwork, but big problems should always be reported to an adult.