MeDeFe wrote:But what impact does having to stand up and sing an embarrassing song have?
I really, really depends on the song, the kid and the context of the situation. It could be one of the worst things to do if the child has low self-esteem ... or it could work well, be either a way of "bringing down" a healthy kid who got a bit excited and "above himself" OR a way of showing a kid with low self-esteem that they are "part of the group"/ can "take it", etc. It just depends.
Many kids who act up really and truly do have quite poor self images. My son, even at age 7, for example, already says "why try" repeatedly. He "knows" that his best efforts (even with medication) will often fall short of what is expected, so he gives up and just takes the easy road. (or seeks attention negatively because he doesn't get it positively). That is a real and true reaction. He does not see even joking criticism as a joke, he sees it as real and true criticism.
BUT, here is where things get tricky. Kids need to live in the real world. The real world is not a nice, soft place of comfort. As parents and educators, we have to both build up our kids AND armor them against the real world. We have to teach them in different ways that they can't just melt because someone says something bad about them or makes fun of them or teases them.
The funny song issue? I have seen both sides. A kid with very low self esteem can take it all to heart and internalize it into a very, very big deal. On the other hand, a more healthy and happy kid, particularly one who happened to get a bit "above" himself (in the excitement) can be gently, but firmly brought down or simply have fun with it.
But there I go again ... taking a not so serious thread and making it serious. I think his main point was to vent. If he were a terrible counselor in a terrible program, I don't think he would have done it twice.
