HOW TO PREVENT BULLYING IN YOUR SCHOOL TAKING BULLYING ONE DAY AT TIME

WHAT TO DO? There are 8 helpful tips on how to protect yourself against a bully.

WALK WITH AWARENESS, CALMNESS, AND CONFIDENCE Walk with head up Walk with back straight Take assertive steps while walking Thoroughly look around Keep a peaceful mind and body Moving away from people who might cause trouble Keep a firm assertive tone of voice Think wisely about choice of words Keep calm and control feelings during the situation

LEAVING IN A POWERFUL POSITIVE WAY The best self defense is what is called “target denial” which basically means avoid the situation completely. While walking away stay calm and confident. Make a positive neutral statement while walking away. Something like “have a good day” or “see ya later!”.

When needing self defense one must: Stand tall Keep calm Keep arms in front of body Firmly say STOP Also make sure to have a calm but clear voice with polite firm words. Not whiney, but not aggressive. SETTING A BOUNDARY

USING YOUR VOICE If being physically harassed by a bully one must: Use loud words to make it clear you are being assaulted Say things like “NO, DON’T DO THAT” and “STOP, I DON’T LIKE THAT”. In an adult does not attend to the situation immediately, after situation is over always report the bullying to an adult.

PROTECTING FEELINGS FROM NAME CALLING When something mean is said to you, saying something mean back just makes the problem bigger, not better. Make sure when someone insults you, you think of something you like about yourself and remind yourself of that thing. Also make the bully know the words don’t hurt your feelings. Say things “Well, I know you don’t mean that”.

SPEAKING UP FOR INCLUSION Being left out and excluded is a major part of bullying. This sometimes hurts more than physical bullying. When excluded use a firm and positive voice to say “I would like to join you guys”. If the bully or bullies make excuses why you cannot join come back with a statement. For example, if the bully says “your not good enough”, you then say “well if I practice I can get better”. Or if the bully says “there are already too many”, you can say “there is always room for one more!”.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO TELL PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ALL OTHER SURROUNDING ADULTS WHEN BULLYING IS HAPPENING. SOMETIMES ADULTS WILL GET IRRATED AND ANNOYED, BUT NEVER GIVE UP ON ASKING FOR HELP. HELP MAKE PLANS WITH THE ADULT ON HOW TO AVOID AND STOP THE PROBLEM AT HAND. BEING PERSISTENT IN GETTING HELP

USE SELF DEFENSE AS A LAST RESORT The only time to use physical self defense as an option is when you are being hurt or about to be hurt and you cannot leave or get help. The best things to do in a self defense situation are to pinch the bully’s arm or leg, kick them in the shins, or hit someone in the chest. These are techniques the will not injure the bully badly but will make them stop. You can practice on air or something like a couch cushion. ALWAYS REMEMBER PHYSICAL SELF DEFENSE SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT!!