When children don't know the meaning of words
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (351327)
Rockingham, Australia
April 16, 2025 4:57am CST
The photo has nothing to do with the discussion.
I am reading an intriguing book called ‘Too Close to the Falls’ by Catherine Gildiner. At one point, she manages to get the better of a bully by stabbing him in the hand with a compass. While this sounds bad, he’d been pulling out clumps of her hair to the point where she has scabs on her scalp. The silly thing, to an adult, is that although she complained about the bullying, she never actually said what he was doing. So no-one took any notice of her complaints.
Of course, after she stabbed him, she got into a lot of trouble and at one stage was asked if she felt any remorse. She didn’t know what ‘remorse’ meant.
I was reminded of a story one of Vince’s brothers would tell about doing something wrong and being later sent to the teacher and being told to apologise. He didn’t know what that meant either. Kids have it a bit tough sometimes, don’t they?
15 people like this
13 responses
@Dreamerby (7894)
• Calcutta, India
18 Apr
that is true. Books about the evils of bullying and what fiascos bullying can bring should be made a part of school curriculum
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (146213)
• United States
16 Apr
First, I'm glad you were able to open myLot and make a discussion. This is only the second discussion posted to myLot since yesterday around 8 pm. And, this is the first discussion I've been able to open since midnight here.
And yes, sometimes it's funny when kids don't know the meaning of words. Some will ask what a word means and others will guess and usually, get it wrong.
4 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5839)
•
16 Apr
There have been 8 posted in the time frame you mentioned (between 8 pm myLot time and this post).
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (146213)
• United States
16 Apr
@GoAskAlice Then they aren't showing up on my laptop screen.
3 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5839)
•
16 Apr
@DaddyEvil You should be able to scroll back now, open posts, and check the exact time they were posted.
3 people like this
@allknowing (144300)
• India
17 Apr
Talking about words I remembered my little nephew years ago answered his Mom by saying "Nothing tappened Mummy" Obviously he must have heard his Mom say
What happened" 
3 people like this
@allknowing (144300)
• India
17 Apr
@JudyEv I think he understood 'What happened" as "Wha tappened"
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@JudyEv (351327)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Apr
@allknowing Okay. That sounds logical.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (187084)
• United States
17 Apr
I agree with Kandase. Early education (and vigilance by the parents) and a love of reading can make a big difference.
2 people like this
@grenery8 (16097)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
21 Apr
@JudyEv there are more experts and more pills out there, i feel but they still can't approach every person differently and i agree with you, most things stayed the same. it's no wonder that people talk about their lives in the street, waiting for a bus or a train, they don't have anyone to talk to.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73879)
• United States
17 Apr
It points out that we shouldn’t expect a child to have the vocabulary of a college student. “Are you sorry you did that” would have been understandable.
Sad story. I got back at a bully in elementary school and got in trouble for it. My mom had my back, though, to the principal’s dismay.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (114863)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Apr
They do need to have words explained to them. It can be tough
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (114863)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Apr
@JudyEv We don't think about it a lot.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (7894)
• Calcutta, India
18 Apr
That's how bullying is a social evil. Indeed a thought-provoking story.
2 people like this
@Neil43 (3810)
•
17 Apr
It's fascinating how children often lack the vocabulary to express their feelings or describe their experiences, which can lead to misunderstandings about their struggles. The story highlights the importance of communication and the need for adults to be attentive to subtle signs of distress. It’s a reminder that we should strive to create environments where children feel safe to voice their concerns, and also ensure they understand the language of emotions and consequences. It's tough growing up, and sometimes it takes a significant event for others to take notice of what’s really going on.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (351327)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Apr
What you say is very true. I can't understand why this little girl didn't speak up about the actual actions that were happening. She went to her teacher, then to the head teacher (both nuns) but they thought she was exaggerating things. In the end, she had to sort out her own problems.
1 person likes this
