Page 34 - GM-Tanya the Tattling Rattler
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EXERCISE
You have five situational examples in the Cosmos Explains for children to determine when it is appropriate to tell a grown-up. Tattling is a behavior that allows for the identification of
Stinky Thinking.
You will see in these examples that sometimes tattling is the result of Stinking Thinking and that sometimes not tattling (when it is appropriate to do so) is also the result of Stinky Thinking. The examples point out the complexity and ambiguity of life. Sometimes it is one way and sometimes it is the other way.
The arrow diagram in the Exercise is a way to help the children sort through their confusion and to override their own Stinky Thinking. By going though the process (following the arrows), they may choose to Drop it or Talk to them rather than tattle. In so doing, they are increasing their social skills and coping repertoire as well as gradually extinguishing the non-profitable behavior of tattling.
Rewarding behaviors associated with the Good Thinking of the Tanya story is more difficult than that of some of the other stories. It is the absence of the behavior of tattling that you would like to reinforce. But by its very absence, reinforcement becomes very difficult.
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