Media attention on bullying in schools has many parents seeing childhood social relationships only through the lens of bullying. That focus is simplistic and unfortunate because most school communities are places of tolerance and inclusion, as well as occasional bullying. For children, the relationship with friends is one of the most important things in their lives, a source of learning and growth. However, all children also discover social power and experiment with teasing and exclusion. Classes are stratified into very popular, accepted, ambiguous, neglected, controversial and rejected children. In this talk, Dr. Thompson will distinguish between the normal social pain of childhood from which all children learn and actual bullying, which is traumatizing. He will discuss ways in which communities can make children safer.

About Dr. Michael Thompson

For more than 35 years, Dr. Michael Thompson has worked as a clinical psychologist, school consultant, and international speaker on the subjects of children, schools and parenting. He has authored nine books focusing on the emotional lives of boys, friendships and social cruelty in childhood, the impact of summer camp experiences on child development, the tensions that arise in the parent-teacher relationships, and psychological aspects of school leadership. Learn more about Dr. Thompson at https://michaelthompson-phd.com.

About the Event

This adult event is free and open to the general public. It is presented by the independent schools of Ann Arbor, which include Ann Arbor Academy, Daycroft School, Emerson School, Greenhills School, Hebrew Day School, Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor, and Summers-Knoll School. Learn more at a2independentschools.org