Mean Girls (and Boys!): Why Kids Act In Unkind Ways and How To Help

When children boss other kids around, say hurtful things, exclude peers, and act in other unkind ways, they are not acting mean on purpose. By and large, these kids are struggling with difficult feelings of insecurity/self-doubt and anxiety. These complex emotions are uncomfortable and hard to make sense of and cope with, even for adults, no less young children who don’t have the self-awareness or skills to deal with these emotions effectively.

In this session, presented by developmental psychologist, Claire Learner, we will explore the roots of relational aggression and how to address the underlying issues at play for kids when they are acting unkind. Effective strategies for intervening in incidents of relational aggression will also be addressed.