Lynne Namka, Ed. Many children grow up in systems that label them in negative ways. Labeling a child is a way of subtly blaming the victim. The danger of labels is that children tend to believe what is said about them and live up to that negative expectation.
Negative labels keep children caught in negative behavior.
Labeling what we do not know how to deal with is victimization. Labeling can be a subtle means of trying to control the child. Yet, at one time, resorting to labels was what was accepted for discipline. Play is an integral part of growing up and is based on specific skills. Play offers the child an opportunity to learn to deal with the adult world.