We are never too young to learn the importance of kindness

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hree years ago Saint Lucian author Loverly Sheridan published her fourth children’s novel entitled “Be A Buddy Not a Bully” which follows the story of a young bully who later becomes a victim. The tale is packed with lessons on the importance of kindness and is designed with children four to ten years old in mind.

With her book, and also while carrying the message of kindness, Sheridan toured the US in a determined effort to combat bullying among children. Now the author has returned to her home shores where she aims to continue her project.

One recent stop was the Tapion Primary School. On Thursday morning, with the Castries Harbour as their backdrop, students huddled up with Sheridan as she read excerpts from her latest book. Later a conversation ensued with students relaying their understanding of bullying. The event continued into the afternoon, giving both infant and primary school students the opportunity to open up about their personal experiences.

In a brief interview Sheridan revealed that the Tapion school was her second local stop thus far, she having first visited Odsan Combined.

At both institutions, she said, the students had been particularly receptive to her message. One who suffered under the attacks of a bully was even moved to tears during a session. Another student had actually acknowledged her bullying behaviour, apologized and promised to make every effort to be a better person.   

“We have to raise awareness in children from a very young age and teach them about the consequencies of their words and their actions,” said Sheridan during her interview. “Really, that is what I was inspired to do; to get them to think before they speak, think before they act. If they’re going to do something, it must uplift, not destroy others.”

Also part of Sheridan’s tour is the building of “buddy benches” on school compounds. She said: “Basically, the buddy bench is an initiative that started in the US to encourage children to be kind to one another. If they need a friend, if they’re feeling sad, they go sit down on the bench and somebody could come and talk to them and ask them what’s wrong. While on the tour in the US, I saw the bench and said, ‘You know what, I want to start that in Saint Lucia to create a climate of kindness and friendliness.’”

The session at the Tapion school was jointly facilitated with the Buddy Up Campaign which is spearheaded by a group of parents who have formed alliances across the island to work with children in the anti-bullying fight.