Bullying Prevention
Addressing and Preventing Bullying
Preventing and Responding to Bullying
Bullying is serious. It can cause physical, psychological, social, and educational harm. As parents, it’s important to understand bullying so you can respond effectively and appropriately, and teach your children to do the same.
Why Kids Bully
- To feel important or popular
- To be in control, overcome insecurities
- Not able to control anger, hurt or frustrations.
- They learn to do this by seeing others bullied
Types of Bullying
- Physical – hitting, shoving, poking, biting, stealing or destroying someone’s property
- Verbal – name calling, spreading rumors, making fun of someone
- Cyberbullying – malicious emails, texts, social media rumors and images about a target
- Sexual / Gender – inappropriate touches, rumors about one’s sexual behavior
- Emotional – ignoring, hostile looks, isolation
Signs a Child Is Being Bullied
- Changes in your child’s mood, grades, appetite, sleep habits or relationships with classmates.
- If your child seems worried, misses school often or avoids certain activities
- Spending more or less time online
- Missing clothes or other items
- Feeling sick or faking an illness
What to do if Your Child Is Being Bullied
- Believe your child. It’s not their fault.
- Praise kids for talking about it. Offer comfort and support
- Use the buddy system
- Walk away; ignore a bully
- Role play on handling bullies. Body language can build confidence! Getting even is not an option.
- Log details of bullying incidents: who, what, where and when.
- Share your written log with school officials. Help start a bullying prevention program.
- Consider counseling.
- Nurture strength. Get your child involved in activities that build self-confidence.
- Be a good role model. Avoid name calling and negative statements about others.
How to Prevent your Child from Bullying Others
- Establish rules about how to treat people
- Help children name their feelings
- Teach safe, non violent ways to problem solve and express their feelings
- Praise good behavior
Call 913-742-4357 or visit our counseling page to learn more of schedule an appointment.