abuse?

We were hanging in the south end today because of the cool arts in the park program that boston parks and recreation does. After our project, I let the girls play on the playground for a bit before our meter ran out. There was a group of 20 three year olds from a nearby day care center who were running rampant. When it was time for them to go, the teachers had them all sit on a step so they could count and make sure they didn't forget anyone. While they were sitting, one teacher went back and forth spraying each kid in the face with a spray bottle of water. It must have been under the pretence of cooling them off, but considering it wasn't very hot this morning in the shade, I think it was a passive aggressive way for this teacher to get them back for their behavior. Isn't that something you do with dogs who don't follow directions?