Customer Reviews

Words Will Never Hurt Me: Helping Kids Handle Teasing, Bullying and Putdowns

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Obviously, Ogden utilizes her quick wit and vast knowledge of the human psyche to bring the reader into the realm of the elementary school child's emotional state. It gives some terrific advice on getting your child to become more confident about themselves while handling situations that many of us at that age were intimidated by. Truly helpful and insightful, I definitely recommend it, and hope to see it become more in circulation on the Psychology shelves...

Obviously, Ogden utilizes her quick wit and vast knowledge of the human psyche to bring the reader into the realm of the elementary-to-middle-schooler's emotional state. It gives some terrific advice on helping your child handle situations that many of us at that age were intimidated by. Hopefully, this book becomes more circulated and popular on the Psychology bookshelves at the local bookstore, because it was definitely worth the read...

I' have had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Sally Ogden speak, so when her book was released on the market I rushed out and bought a copy. It turns out that "Words Will Never Hurt Me" is both the funniest and most informative of books on childhood and general psychology to come out in years. Using a blend of heavy experience (over twenty years of firsthand teaching experience), humor, and...psychology, Ogden has created the ultimate guide to understanding the mentality those gawkish pre-teen and teenage years. Containing both insights and tips, "Words" is also bar none the most user-friendly book on psychology and teaching ever published. On top of all this, Ogden's words of wisdom apply not only to teaching and surviving in the years of adolescence, but to life and humankind in general. Ever wonder why your nextdoor neighbor is such a jerk? Sally Ogden may just be able to help.
So, I'll put this simply: Buy this book. Really. As a teacher's and parent's resource it is invaluable, but as a sort of window into the psyche of people in general it also excels.

This book is a diamond. After reading this book I feel I have a perspective change that will benefit me for the rest of my life. In the first half of the book the author does an excellent job of describing why we as humans compare our weaknesses to another's strengths and how that effects the way we communication to those around us.

Then in the second half she gives some priceless tips on how we can develop a strong positive confidence when dealing with another person who is just having a bad day. She teaches when and how to use "I" messages, negative assertion, neutral responses, broken record and how and when to out crazy the crazies.

My children and I have tested the concepts taught in this book and found them to be very rewarding. This is a book I will be referring to not only for myself but as I teach my children how to deal with life's unpleasant moments one positive response at a time.

I think this book is excellent and helps the reader to understand why bullies act the way that they do and how to respond effectively.

A must read for Moms, Dads, teachers etc.

I got this book because of a bully in my daughters pre-school class (5 years old). I think it is great and will help everybody in all aspects. It has helped me deal with people at work and neighbors. I wish everybody would read this book.

Great skills to teach the kids. I also learned a few things myself! Teaches proper skills to handle situations involving teasing or taunting, and what particular situations to use certain skills. Teaches kids how to take care of situations without even needing the help of adults, and without causing further reason to be bothered by others but instead be in a better and likable light.

While this book has some helpful suggestions, the author is laughably dismissive of the school's role in creating an environment where children are driven to resort to teasing. Schools are failing in virtually every way possible. Children are bored, coerced, taught subjects they have little interest in and will never use, and conversely, not taught those things they would like to learn about and will surely need in real life. Children who are unschooled from the beginning, and treated with dignity and respect, have no need or desire to hurt another child, or anyone else, in any way.

If you are at all aware of the close connection between the school environment and teasing, you will not like this book. Read instead How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development), Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School,The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education and Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling.

Children behave as well as they are treated. If all children were unschooled, there would be no need for books on teasing.

Jan Hunt, author of The Natural Child: Parenting from the Heart and A Gift for Baby; co-editor of The Unschooling Unmanual.