Teaching the Difference Between Tattling and Telling

Teaching children the difference between tattling and telling can help a child more than you realize. A child who tattles can often have a harder time making lasting connections with other children around them. Tattlers can be wearing on adults, too. It can be difficult to have patience for a child who is continuously seeking attention by tattling.

That being said, it is equally important for children to understand the difference between telling and tattling. Children who do not want to be identified as tattlers may not tell an adult about a situation when they should. This can be a detriment and can cause issues to arise later.

Here is a simple activity that you can do with your class, at the dinner table, even while driving in the car:

Step 1: Print out the Telling vs. Tattling poster.
Step 2: Starting with you - tell a story where a person is tattling or telling.
Step 3: Ask, “Am I tattling or telling?” You can have your students refer to the Telling vs. Tattling poster.  
Step 4: Ask the students to come up with their own stories and present them to the class. Encourage them to ask the question, “Am I tattling or telling?”

For ideas on stories you can check out these additional resources:

• Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook - Book
• I’m Telling a Tattlers Tale - Video 
• Telling or Tattling Powerpoint Presentation by Mrs. Phillips 

Let us know what you are doing to help your children with understanding the difference between tattling and telling. Leave a comment or send us a message.