5th Anniversary of Columbine - Why are our children still not safe?

What has been learned from Columbine? Why do school shootings and violence continue? According to noted school counselor and licensed professional counselor, Dr. Helen B. McIntosh, children can be taught how to deal with angry and volatile emotions from teasing and bullying without resorting to physical violence and shootings.

(PRWEB) March 1, 2004 -- "Another Columbine can be prevented," according to Dr. Helen McIntosh, school counselor, licensed professional counselor, and inventor of The Peace Rug®. "I believe that if children are taught to handle conflicts when they occur, anger can be defused at an early stage instead of building to uncontrollable rage. Research shows that victims of continuous teasing and bullying often mimic the worst bullying behavior and become physically violent." To address hurt and angry feelings and to keep children from being victimized, McIntosh invented and developed The Peace Rug, a curriculum for teachers and parents, so that children can resolve a conflict when it happens.

Conflicts to this teacher mean anything that makes another child feel uncomfortable, hurt, angry, and other negative emotions. Being dissed" (disrespected) by someone is a conflict just like name-calling, eye-rolling, teasing, and taunting. Arguments and disagreements begin with words. If the situation isnt settled, bad feelings continue to brew and escalate until a child is often out of control. Sometimes it comes from being teased and bullied constantly, but the child who is the victim is usually defenseless. The Peace Rug armors the child with a different vocabulary. If everyone in the school has learned the process, conflicts, including teasing and bullying, can be settled peacefully without resorting to more negative behavior or physical violence.

School administrators, government officials, and even the media ask what can be done to stem the tide of violence in schools. McIntosh believes a new language is necessary -- one that teaches compassion and caring for one another. She also believes that many children have grief issues as well as anger and a sense of unfairness. Children with a single parent, one in jail, or even a homeless one have little protection against the actions of adults and their own peers. The law, No Child Left Behind," is admirable but the truth is that until conflicts are handled easily and simply, no child can learn in an unsafe environment.

Managing behavior in a classroom is difficult for teachers when violence in TV, movies, and electronic games color a childs reality. And theres another factor that has been identified in Britain that should concern us all. Some children have committed suicide because they are so depressed about the constant teasing and bullying and feel hopeless. With McIntoshs new dialogue via The Peace Rug and hope for reconciliation between classmates, children can learn better and think more clearly; and hopefully, there will be no more Columbines.

The Peace Rug Company, Inc. was formed in August 2000. Manufacture of The Peace Rug is done by Shaw Rugs, a division of Shaw Industries, Inc., a division of Berkshire Hathaway. The Peace Rug is included in Kathy Irelands Young Attitudes Collection of Rugs through Shaw. Material is copyrighted, trademarked, and patent pending.

Contact Information:
Carol Lumpkin
The Peace Rug Company, Inc.
1-888-732-2378 phone
1-706-226-2296 fax
http://www.peacerug.com

The Peace Rug is not intended to take the place of counseling and should not be used with violently angry or hostile people or with anyone under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal.