Growing Child Research Review, May 1995. First graders for the most part engage in physically hurtful teasing, such as tying a classmate's shoelaces together. Actions speak louder than words. It's difficult to use verbal teasing at this age. But as young people move into adolescence, their teasing gets more sophisticated and symbolic.
Words are as good as actions.
By 11th grade, symbolic teasing accounts for about 80 percent of teasing. They start to realize that the words are only symbols of harassment, and if they don't accept that symbol as having authenticity, they can then overlook it and not get upset. Most young people cope with being teased on their own, usually by retaliating against or ignoring the teaser. Teasing is an inevitable part of growing up, and it seems that kids are adept at handling it on their own, but when teasing gets out of hand, it can lead to problems. It is sometimes appropriate for adults to intervene, particularly among prepubertal children.