Bullying By: Paige Smith

What is Bullying? Repeated aggression in which there is an imbalance of power between the person who bullies and the person being victimized.

Ways to address Bullying Establish a Code of Conduct Post a code of conduct so children know what behavior is allowed in the school and what is not Lead By Example Choose your words carefully Resolve Conflicts in a positive way Encourage Children to Report Tell an Adult Teacher, Parent, Coach Develop Consequences Punishment needs to be made Children who bully also need help understanding the impact their behavior makes on others

Continued… Minimize Opportunities Encourage Positive Behavior Organize Activities Break up groups of children who act aggressively together Encourage Positive Behavior Give Praise when earned Be ready to listen and help Don’t put it off Ask for details

Signs of Being Bullied & Bullying Others Afraid to go to school or other activities Anxious Low self-esteem Trouble Sleeping, Nightmares Isolates themselves Bruising, damaged clothing Threatens to hurt themselves or others Bossy and Manipulative Secretive Easily Frustrated Has trouble standing up to peer pressure Doesn’t recognize impact of behavior Low concern for others Aggressive with others Parents, Siblings, Pets, Friends, Teachers

Risks for Children who are Bullied Low Self-Esteem Poor Health Headaches Stomach aches Academic Problems Contemplating/Attempting Suicide Social Anxiety Loneliness Depression Low Mood Sense of Hopelessness

Risks for Children who Bully others Not knowing the difference between right and wrong Adult Criminality Difficulties in their relationships with others Delinquency and Substance Use Academic Problems Drop Out

Types of Bullying Verbal Bullying Physical Bullying Name-Calling, mocking, hurtful teasing, humiliating or threating someone, racist or sexist comments Physical Bullying Hitting, Kicking, Shoving, Spitting, Beating Up, Stealing, or Damaging Property

Continued…. Social Bullying Cyber Bullying Excluding others from the group Gossiping or Spreading Rumors Setting others up to look foolish Cyber Bullying Using email, cell phones, text messages, and internet sites to threaten, harass, embarrass, socially exclude, or damage reputations and friendships

Tips to Share Being Bullied: Tell someone who can help If you’re scared to talk to someone alone, ask a friend to go with you Stay in areas where you feel safe Stay Calm Get Funny Humor Shows that your not bothered Bully Others: Ask a friend to help you stop when you start to bully someone Understand that even though you may not like someone, we treat everyone with respect Put Yourself in the other kids shoes Apologize to those you’ve bullied Talk to someone who can help you find ways to get along with others

Tips to share….. With those who watch bullying: If you walk away and get help, you are part of the solution. If you stay and watch, you are part of the problem. Invite kids who are bullied to play with you Comfort the person being bullied Let it known that bullying is not okay! Help kids who bully, don’t hurt them Speaking out helps, bullying back doesn’t help Talk to someone who can help Remember that telling is not tattling

Trust your Instincts If you have any suspicion that a child is being bullied, most likely they are. Children often deny it out of shame or fear. Trust your instincts and intervene.

Sources http://www.canchild.ca/en/canchildresources/resources/Making_a_Difference_in_Bullying_What_Teachers_of_Elementary_Children_Need_to_Know.pdf http://www.tolerance.org/bullying-basics