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Violence is never okay, BES class learns

You are raging. You are smoking. Your fingers twitch. Your jaws tighten. You just want to lash out and … and … But wait, don’t do it.
I ‘m soooooooo angry: Justin Van Hecke gives a great impression of an angry look during a fun part of the program.
I ‘m soooooooo angry: Justin Van Hecke gives a great impression of an angry look during a fun part of the program.

You are raging. You are smoking. Your fingers twitch. Your jaws tighten. You just want to lash out and … and …

But wait, don’t do it. Instead, why not stomp your feet, flap your hands, do kicks or punch the air? Why not do the silly dance?

It may sound crazy, but crazy is good when it releases pent-up energy in a safe way. And it is also a lot of fun.

Youngsters in Amber Monteath’s class 2B at Barrhead Elementary School learned about the silly dance last Tuesday during an hour-long “Hands Are Not For Hitting” program.

The class included Tayten Bain, Tayah Bowick, Erin Bruns, Brady Callihoo, Ethan Callihoo, Jalyssa Flett, Nevaeh Grant, Parker Gueth, Izack Hodgins, Hayley Knittig, Thoryn Lagasse, Sam McKale, Thomas Preece, Brianna Schneider, Westley Stoley, Lori-Ann Tews, Justin Van Hecke, Rayce Walker and Ashton Wolfram. Missing were Kayla Calliou and Paige Evans.

Substitute teacher Heidi Schabert took the class since regular teacher Monteath was away.

The anti-violence program is being presented locally by Family and Community Support Services’ family violence outreach worker, Diane MacDougall. Helping her is Barrhead School Resource Officer Morroco Johnson.

“It’s hard to stay mad when you are doing the silly dance, isn’t it?” MacDougall said.

Earlier, children had used up some of their energy by yelling “Hands Are Not For Hitting”, getting louder and louder until other classes must have heard them. Who knows, perhaps even the rest of the school – or the whole of Barrhead – heard them too.

They were that loud.

Then came another fun challenge: they were asked to give their best impression of an angry-as-hell face. Who could resist? The room was suddenly full of wrinkled noses, knitted brows, narrowed eyes and bared teeth.

Wow, there were some mean, mean looks. It was almost possible to see smoke coming out of ears, although, of course, it was all in jest – it was just a way of going through the process of getting angry. It was just a way of keeping youngsters aged seven to eight engaged and focused on the message that violence is never okay.

“What are the things you have seen in a playground that are not acceptable?” MacDougall asked.

“Pushing people,” said one child. “Throwing rocks,” said a classmate. “Bullying,” said another.

What about the good things you can do with your hands?

Const. Johnson wrote the responses on the board as they came in: high-fiving, hugging, shaking hands, petting dogs, playing sports and video games, helping, making sandcastles and snowmen, and riding a bike.

So many great things to do. The list seemed almost endless.

The kids were then handed a workbook, full of great puzzles, exercises, and chances to take out magic markers and do some colouring.

After Const. Johnson read a story, the program ended with each child making an anti-violence pledge with his or her handprint and signature. These were put on a huge “Hands Are Not For Hitting” banner displayed at the school.

MacDougall said the interactive program was designed to give children a toolbox full of healthy ways for managing anger.

It showed, she added, that hands could be used for playing, creating, helping, working, learning, encouraging and taking care of oneself.

“It helps young children understand that violence is never okay, that they can manage their anger and other strong feelings, and that they’re capable of positive, loving actions,” she said. “Reaching children at an age when they are interacting more with others and starting school, they need to know that hitting is unacceptable.”

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