In a world where the consequences of bullying can be devastating, one teacher in Birmingham, UK, has taken an innovative approach to help children grasp the seriousness of this issue. Using just two apples, she crafted a lesson that is gaining significant attention online.
Emma Hughes, a teacher who specializes in mindfulness and relaxation techniques, recently shared her enlightening experiment on her Facebook page, Mindful Kids Birmingham. To illustrate the effects of bullying, she presented her class with two apples—one that was pristine and another that she had secretly bruised by repeatedly dropping it on the floor. On the surface, both fruits appeared identical, with her students noting that “they were both bright red and looked delicious.”
Hughes began by picking up the bruised apple and expressing her disdain for it. She went on to discourage the children from liking it as well, encouraging them to call it hurtful names. The students initially reacted with surprise but soon joined in, tossing around insults like “you’re a rotten apple” and “nobody wants you.” Hughes admitted that she felt sympathy for the apple as it was subjected to this verbal abuse.
Next, she introduced the untouched apple, prompting her class to share kind words such as “you’re a wonderful apple” and “you have a lovely color.” Afterward, Hughes cut both apples open. The one that had been bullied was mushy and brown inside, while the one that received kindness was crisp and juicy. At that moment, the children experienced a revelation about the internal impact of bullying, realizing that the bruises represented the emotional scars that can result from harsh words and actions.
Hughes emphasized the importance of treating one another with kindness, noting that while some people may hide their feelings, the damage can still be profound—just like the bruised apple. Her Facebook post has since been shared over 200,000 times and received more than 168,000 likes. Many commenters have expressed a desire to see this experiment replicated in classrooms worldwide to help children appreciate the gravity of bullying.
In her conclusion, Hughes reflected on the power of words and the responsibility we all have to foster kindness. “The tongue has no bones,” she wrote, “but it’s strong enough to break a heart.”
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In summary, Emma Hughes’s creative lesson using apples not only teaches children about the effects of bullying but also encourages them to choose kindness in their interactions with others. Her approach resonates with both kids and adults alike, highlighting the significant impact of our words.