As bullying becomes more and more prevalent in the lives of kids and young adults, RISD has combated that with a simple program that has shown dramatic results in elementary schools.
It’s called R Time, and it doesn’t directly address bullying. The kids just “learn to get along.” Costing about $60 per classroom and taking just 20 minutes a session, the England-based program uses different exercises that teach children to be caring, pilot, listen to others and show respect. You know, those things mom taught you but can’t enforce while you’re at school all day surrounded by completely different scenarios. Today’s DMN story has detailed examples.
The program has proven successful at Mohawk Elementary, which started it in 2008. Since then, conduct violations have decreased by one third. Before the R Time, about 42 percent of discipline was related to bullying. Today, it’s 8 percent.
