Jim, I'm sorry, but having had thousands of children under my care for decades, I still feel that making 'too much fuss' about playground taunts is a very bad idea. Even if one attempts to stop it, they go on doing it and always will. It's much better to teach a child to stand up for itself and to have a more robust character. We have always been a nation with a strong sense of humour, and if we can't laugh off such things as 'Fatty' etc we're utter wimps. The same goes for political correctness. I can't see why being called 'dear' for example at my age should upset me, why should it? Teachers and parents know the difference (or should) between light teasing and vicious, cruel bullying. I wonder if all this mamby pambying is behind the alarming modern tendency for everyone of all ages to burst into tears at the least opportunity? Kleenex must be making huge profits nowadays.