Preventing Bullying

Teachers
Parents

Teachers

Teachers play a huge role in preventing and reacting towards bullying. They resemble the most trusted adult in a school environment that should resemble a role model when it comes to reacting towards bullying behavior

Below are some tips that you can keep in mind to help promote positive cultures in your classroom or campus:

Establish a rewarding program from students who show thoughtfulness towards other
Promote volunteerism to build empathy in students
Scheduling frequent group counseling sessions to promote peer involvement
Make time for one-on-one counseling sessions
Create “Bully free spots” in playground to protect children
Set a tone of respect in classrooms by creating a “What to do” contract rather than “What not to do”
– Schedule frequent in-class activities for students and seminars/talks for older age

Parents

It starts by talking about bullying …

Everyone has an important role to play in preventing bullying; parents, teachers, school staff or adults in general. This is what you can do:

1- Explain Bullying to the kids: You have to define it and teach them to stand up against it. Children have to know that it is an unacceptable behavior and it is okay to ask for help.

2- Communicate at all times: It starts by simply listening to them and checking on them. You have to understand their concerns and what is annoying them.

3- Encourage them towards their passion: Children are known to have a boosted confidence when they are able to do the things they love. It can be having a hobby, special activities, camps etc. … This way children can make friends outside their school environment too!

Show how important it is to be kind and respectful

1- Explain Bullying to the kids

Those who know what exactly bullying is can better identify it, stop it and report it. This can start by encouraging them to talk about it, guide them on how to safely stand up against it and get help.

Encourage children to refer to an adult they trust if they are bullied or see others being bullied. You can explain that an adult offers support, comfort and advice. It is not about solving the problem directly!
Encourage children that reporting bullying is an achievement
Guide children on how to stand up to those who bully through tips
Teach them the safe strategies i.e. what they can do to stay safe
Encourage the children to help others who are bullied by either being kind to them or getting them help.

2- Communicate at all times

Even though kids don’t refer to adults at all times, research proves that children look at adults and caregivers as wise advice givers. Communication can be as simple as dedicating 10 to 15 minutes a day to talking with your kids and/or students. This can reassure the children that they can refer to their parents or trusted adults if they need to solve a problem.

Below are some questions or topics that you can initiate a talk with:

Did one thing good happen today?
Did anything bad happen today?
How was recess at school today?
Who are your friends who you walk with during recess?
What is your school bus ride like?
What do you feel you are good at?
What do you like best about yourself?

In order to understand how much the issue is affecting the children, you have to talk about bullying directly. The questions you will ask have no right or wrong answers, but it is important to encourage kids towards honest answers. They have to know that they are not alone in this.

You can always stay up to date in your kids’ campus life, it is by staying involved!

3- Encourage them towards their passion

If you still don’t know what your kid’s hobby is or if they still haven’t told you, include them in extracurricular activities so you can help them discover it! It is important for kids to participate in activites and interests because it is a confidence booster and friendship creator!

Ways to keep your child involved can be by encouraging them to volunteer, play sports, participate in group activities and go to camps.
Show how important it is to be kind and respectful.
Adults are the best example that children can learn from. Our actions should always involve treating others with respect and kindness, this way children will learn that there is no room for bullying in adult life. Yes, it might seem that kids are not paying attention to us, but they are watching and concluding actions like stress management, conflict resolution and relationships.

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February 23, 2018