That's just it

With the 'popular' kid, as the teacher I'd turn around and say 'Oh, you doofus!' in a jovial way. I know damn well that the popular kid would react by laughing, not at themselves, but with me and themselves, and the rest of the class would follow suit. No harm done, everyone has a good old laugh.

But with the quieter, more sensitive children, I'd go for the gentler, calmer approach, of squatting down eye-to-eye with them, and telling them straight that it's ok, it doesn't matter that the paint's been dropped.

And as a teacher, I would defend that child if they wound up being picked on by the rest of the class, but I would do it through some kind of class discussion, to avoid drawing to much attention to that individual child.

You're right in what you say, that each situation has to be handled with a lot of tact, and a good teacher would know how to do that.

There are good teachers out there who can do just that, but sadly they are in the minority...

T.