Ever notice your teammate making fun of someone else? Or your child using an insulting remark to put someone down? These are putdowns, and they need to stop. Putdowns can be hurtful, cause embarrassment or shame and are a form of bullying.

If you notice a putdown, the best approach is to speak up. Practice responding to putdowns by saying something like, “That’s not funny,” or “What purpose does it serve to say that?” These responses will hopefully serve to change bullying behavior.

Defensive retorts are common when stood up to, so it’s recommended you also practice responses to these responses. For example:
The Sense of Humor Reaction: Can’t you take a joke?
Possible Response: That was unkind. Being hurtful to people is not funny to me.

For more reactions and responses to putdowns, see the link below.

This resource stems from a Positive Coaching Alliance Trusted Resource - Kidpower - a nonprofit leader in abuse and violence prevention for children and adults. Kidpower makes it FUN to learn about being safe, rather than scary. Caring adults can use the Kidpower Method™ to protect children and teens from bullying, child abuse, abduction, and other violence.