Telling and Tattling: How to Teach Pre-K Students the Difference

Getting tired of all the attention that Droid is getting, Dude wants Droid to get in trouble. Although not certain, he blames Droid for his missing boots and lasso. He even informs Droid’s mother and Mama Amore about it. But Mama Amore knows that Dude is not telling the truth; he’s tattling. Mama Amore teaches Dude what the difference between telling and tattling is.

In this lesson’s story, titled "Tattling vs. Telling," pre-kindergartners learn what telling and tattling is, how these two are different, and how they should treat others the way they want to be treated. The students also understand why a tattler tattles, and how tattling makes them feel. Seeing from Droid’s perspective, pre-kindergartners realize that they don’t want to treat others that way because they also don’t want to be treated like that. The students are immersed further in the lesson with the help of “Droid,” “Dude,” and “Mama Amore” visual aids.

The story is followed by an engaging class discussion that reinforces the SEL lesson concepts. It allows the teacher to elaborate on why the students should practice the positive action of telling, and not tattling.

To help the students remember the difference between tattling and telling, an SEL activity has been prepared for the lesson. This activity allows the students to distinguish between telling the truth and getting others in trouble by tattling. At the end, pre-kindergartners learn that tattling leaves them in an Unhappy Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle, and it makes them feel bad about themselves.

Tattling is a common behavior among pre-kindergartners. It is often done to exert power over their peers, attract attention, receive rewards, or get others punished. This behavior can ruin their relationships with their peers and cause more conflict rather than solve them.

Educators need to discourage tattling, while still encouraging pre-kindergartners to report any dangerous situations or behaviors. To do this, they need to teach pre-kindergartners the difference between telling and tattling.

This lesson is designed to teach pre-kindergartners the value of telling the truth in creating long-lasting friendships and healthy social interactions. It is also designed to discourage tattling and help pre-kindergartners learn the consequences it can have in their social and personal life.