Teaching Your Child About Bullying

My children go to a 'Bully-Free Zone' school, which means the teachers and school administrators teach students not only that bullying isn't tolerated but also that there is strong punishment enforced for participating in it. It is refreshing seeing schools taking such an active part in ending violence among peers. But, as we all know, bullying unfortunately still happens. That's why it's so important for caregivers not only to understand what bullying is, but also what they can do to help stop it.

What is bullying? According to Eye On Bullying.org, bullying is the infliction of abuse on another person that has three characteristics: It's deliberate, repeated and someone is in a more powerful position than another. Bullying can be divided into three main categories: (a) Physical -poking, pushing, hitting, kicking, beating up; (b) Verbal -yelling, teasing, name-calling, insulting, threatening to harm; and (c) Indirect-ignoring, excluding, spreading rumors, telling lies, getting others to hurt someone.

Nowadays, the Internet gives children vast and limitless ways to harass (called 'cyberbulling') where they can use Media Tools like Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, chat rooms or texts as ways to spread rumors or hurt each other.

Education, communication and living by example are the most powerful ways to prevent bullying. Here are a few other suggestions:

Start when they're young. Encourage cooperative behaviors such as sharing, helping, problem-solving, empathy and consequences of behavior as early as possible. At the same time, discourage aggressive responses such as hostility, hurting, name-calling and rejection.

Teach all children about bullying. Research has shown that most children are victimized at some point in their lives, not just those children who seem 'weaker' than other children. All children can use the tools to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, how to stand up for themselves and others and when they need to ask an adult for help.

Be a role model. Children aren't going to pay attention to the bullying rules at school if the other adults in their lives aren't respecting others. Pay attention to how you solve problems, use proper discipline tactics, control your own anger and disappointment, stand up for yourself and others, and don't fight or talk about other people badly.

Empower your child to 'do good'. Praising your child when he does good deeds or treats others with respect empowers him to continue with the behavior. According to the Eye On Bullying.org Website, children with strong self-confidence have less tolerance for bullying and are more likely to stand up for themselves and others. These children are also more likely to try working out indifferences in as peaceful way as possible and are less of a target for bullies. Finally, when children learn how to solve problems in a constructive way, they are more likely to avoid responding to conflict with violence.

Be a strong connection to your child's school. Volunteer, be a part of the anti-bullying campaign, help teachers and school administrators with presentations teaching about violence and bullying. See what you can do to help in the movement so your child can have the same lessons at school as well as at home.

We aren't able to keep an eye on our children every moment to ensure they aren't being bullied or picked on. But we can give them effective communication tools and be here to listen if they, or someone they know, run into trouble.

Do you know the signs that your child is being bullied? Click here .

Did you need intervention tips? Click here .

SOURCES:

Eyes On Bullying.org