In today’s world, the ramifications of bullying are well-understood by adults, but for children, the message can sometimes be hard to grasp. This is where one innovative teacher from Birmingham, UK, found a unique way to convey this critical lesson. By utilizing two apples, she was able to illustrate the profound effects of bullying in a way that resonated deeply with her students.
Meet Sarah Collins, a dedicated teacher who travels to various schools to impart mindfulness and relaxation techniques to children. Recently, Sarah shared her engaging experiment on her Facebook page, Relax Kids Birmingham, which quickly gained traction online.
During her lesson, Sarah presented her class with two apples—one pristine and the other secretly bruised from being dropped on the floor. At first glance, both apples appeared identical, prompting her students to observe that “each was red, similar in size, and looked delicious.”
She then picked up the bruised apple and began to express her disdain for it. “I told them I found it disgusting, that its color was horrible, and its stem was too short. I insisted that because I disliked it, they should join in and call it names too.” Initially, her students looked at her as if she were crazy, but they soon participated, hurling insults like “you’re a rotten apple” and “why do you even exist?” As they took turns passing the apple around, Sarah couldn’t help but feel sympathy for it.
Next, she presented the untouched apple and encouraged her students to share kind words, such as “you’re a beautiful apple” and “your skin is so shiny.” Again, they compared the two apples and noted that they still looked the same from the outside.
When it came time to cut the apples open, the results were striking. The apple that had received kindness was crisp and juicy, while the one that had been bullied was bruised and mushy inside. This moment marked a turning point for the children, as Sarah explained, “What we saw inside that apple—the bruises and the mush—is what happens to each of us when we’re mistreated by words or actions.”
She emphasized that people often hide their feelings, just like the damage inside the bruised apple. It’s crucial, then, to be mindful of our words and actions. Since her post went live, it has been shared over 200,000 times, receiving more than 168,000 likes. Many commenters have suggested that this impactful lesson should be replicated in classrooms around the globe.
Sarah expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support and reiterated the importance of recognizing our power to combat bullying. “Unlike an apple, we can stop this behavior,” she pointed out. “We can teach children that unkind words are harmful and encourage them to defend one another, just as one little girl did today when she opted not to insult the apple.”
In closing, she reminded everyone, “The tongue has no bones, but it’s strong enough to break a heart. So be mindful of your words.”
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In summary, Sarah’s apple experiment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and the real emotional toll that bullying can take, not just on children but on everyone. It’s a simple yet profound lesson that can leave a lasting impact on young minds.
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