Every generation thinks kids these days are different.
Adults went through the same things in their formative years, noted Keith Deltano, a former teacher who now leads a nationwide, anti-bullying campaign.
But there was a difference. Back then, differences were subtle.
Our parents wore bell bottoms, we wore corduroy, he joked.
But todays kids truly are different in many ways, thanks to an increasingly polarized and toxic society, and the explosion of social media platforms.
Deltano, invited to Iola on behalf of Humanity House and the Farm-City Days Committee, spoke Wednesday on a number of topics about bullying, suicide and other forces at work in todays world. Following presentations at a number of schools in Allen County, Deltano was at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center that evening to visit with parents.
ARMED WITH statistics and more than a few humorous anecdotes, Deltano spoke about how to protect youngsters from bullying, skills that, in no small coincidence, can help them thrive later on.
Its important to note, he began, that children are influenced by many factors, but none more so than their parents, and not just in doling out rewards or punishments.
Kids are perceptive at detecting how their parents react to certain stimuli, good and bad.
He started by stressing the importance of instilling competence, confidence and self-identity.
Parents need to give their kids a thing, he said, an outlet, a skill or a passion in which they can thrive.
But dont say video games, he warned. Gaming is not a thing.
For example, Deltano pointed to his own son, who struggled at various activities until he found one that clicked ballet.
Ballet led to his son eventually becoming successful in sports, such as taekwondo.
Sometimes a thing gets you to another thing, which takes you to another thing that eventually gets you to what you want to do, he said. But youve got to do that first thing.
And the way society works today, kids are ingrained to find their passions earlier in life.
