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When something unkind happens at school

A short cartoon about telling a grown-up, with your child as the hero. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.

Try a story beginning

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a boy and his mum at a lamplit kitchen table draw two people walking to a door, with a glowing firefly lighting the drawing.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Leo (7) sits at the kitchen table after school, quiet. Mum sits down beside him. "Some kids said unkind words at playtime," says Leo. "Thank you for telling me," says Mum. She listens and doesn't hurry him. "Tomorrow, would you like to tell your teacher with me, or would you like me to tell her?" Leo thinks. "With you." They draw two people walking to a classroom door. The lamp stays on.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • Leo says what happened in plain words, when he is ready.
  • Mum thanks him for telling her and listens. She doesn't hurry him or blame anyone.
  • She gives Leo a choice: tell his teacher with her, or have her tell the teacher.
  • Leo chooses, and they draw the two of them walking to the classroom door. The story doesn't say what happens next.
Try a story beginning

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What did Leo tell Mum?
  2. What did Mum say and do?
  3. If something hard happens at school, which grown-up there would you like to tell? You can tell me or show me.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.
  • A cartoon doesn't know what happened at your child's school. It doesn't take sides or decide whose fault anything was. Your child's teacher knows the school and can help.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.