How to Stand Up Against Meanness, Not the Person.
Stand Up Stella teaches kids to stand tall and use the word STOP.
When someone is mean to you, go against the meanness, not the person. Speak to the behavior. Ground yourself firmly in the ground, take a deep breath and say, “I need for you to STOP____(mean behavior)__________.”
How Powerful You Helps Develop Skills to Reduce Bullying and Encourage Confidence
Stand Up Stella from Powerful You tells a story about a time when someone was mean to another classmate. She grounded her feet firmly, lengthened her spine, and spoke against the mean behavior. Often it is hard to stand up for yourself or others because of fear. Practice doing this in front of a mirror or role-play with your classroom . Also remember the word STOP is a two way street. When someone tells you to STOP an “annoying or mean behavior,” you must stop.
Here are 4 “STANDING TALL” steps using the STELLA educator card and classroom skill sign from Powerful You:
1. Say Stop In a kind way, tell the other person to stop.
2. Give a Warning. Say, “If you don’t stop, I’m going to report you to a teacher or adult.”
3. Report If unkind behavior continues, report bullying to a teacher or adult.
4. Continue Reporting If unkind behavior continues, make an appointment with the counselor, principal, assistant principal, or deputy .
How Can You Use Stand Up Stella in the Classroom?
See our classroom example in the video. You too can use Stand Up Stella and the other Powerful You Kids by purchasing the educator cards, the classroom skill signs and/or the Powerful You book.
Explore Our Educator Resources:
Powerful You is a grab-and-go counseling resource designed to make group and classroom counseling simple, meaningful, and effective. Packed with 26 short, easy-to-use themed lessons, this book helps counselors, educators, and support staff guide students through important life topics with confidence and care.
Each lesson begins with a true story that reflects real challenges children face, followed by engaging turn-and-talk prompts that encourage student reflection, discussion, and connection. Inspiring quotes, hands-on activities, and practical tips are also included for optional lesson extensions.
Created by a school counselor with more than 35 years of experience listening to and supporting children, these lessons align with ASCA National Standards and explore sensitive school and home issues through a child’s perspective. Powerful You gives adults ready-to-use tools to build emotional awareness, resilience, communication skills, and confidence in students.
To bring each lesson to life, companion Powerful You laminated role-playing cards and colorful classroom signs are also available separately. These engaging tools correspond with every lesson and provide an interactive way for students to practice skills, deepen understanding, and reinforce key concepts.
For Younger Students, Use Voicing Viv from Powerful You Primary: (grades K to 2)
Voicing Viv from Powerful You Primary used her strong voice when a kindergarten classmate was pinching her.
Powerful You Primary (Kindergarten–Grade 1) is a colorful, hand-illustrated social-emotional learning resource designed to help young children find guidance, encouragement, and support for challenges they may experience at school or at home. Created from more than 30 years of educational experience, this engaging tool brings comfort, confidence, and joy to early learners.
Available as a book or laminated role-play card set, Powerful You Primary gives educators, counselors, and families flexible ways to teach essential life skills in fun and meaningful ways. Each lesson uses storytelling to capture attention and strengthen learning through role-playing, movement, thinking maps, games, and positive self-talk.
Children meet the 26 A–Z Powerful You Kids, memorable characters who model positive behaviors and healthy choices. For example, G – Goodsport Grady teaches teamwork and pitching in. Other lessons focus on honesty, independence, self-esteem, responsibility, taking turns, waiting to speak, ignoring distractions, and more.
Lessons align with ASCA National Standards developed by American School Counselor Association, making this a valuable resource for classroom guidance, school counseling lessons, small groups, and home support. Powerful You Primary helps transform classrooms and home environments by teaching social skills proactively and addressing concerns such as bullying at the core.
Companion Classroom Social Skill Signs that match every A–Z lesson are also available separately to reinforce learning visually throughout the day.
Created by an educator who has supported children for over 30 years, Powerful You Primary helps children build skills in:
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Listening
Self-confidence
Friendship skills
Emotional awareness
Respect
Responsibility
FOR MORE BOOKS ON BULLYING, CLICK HERE.
See R, REPORTING ROXY, when teaching children the difference between tattling and reporting.