Bullying/Prevention Understanding Bullying By: Tammy Moore

Understanding Bullying Bullying is about asserting power and control over another person and can take many forms. This power can be asserted in a variety of ways: Intimidation of strength and size –Identifying then exploiting the victims vulnerabilities –Peer pressure –Involving other peers in the bullying

Bullying Background Bullying is most prevalent among younger elementary students. Bulling peaks during the Middle School years. Name calling is the most common form of bullying. Both girls and boys perpratrate bullying. Girls typically use verbal and emotional tactics. Boys generally become more physical in their attacks.

Ramifications of Bullying For The Victim Bullying wears down the victims self-esteem, this in-turn reinforces the sense of bravado that the aggressor feels entitled to which then encourages other instances of bullying. Victims are more likely than aggressors to suffer from physical illness, have trouble academically and have persistent on-going medical issues. Contrary to what most believe fighting back is likely to escalate the situation giving the bully exactly what they want.

Characteristics That Have Been Identified To Prevent Violence Cueto, Bosworth, & Sailes, 1993; Pepler & Craig, 1999; Shaw, 2001 Implementation of a multi-dimensional approach, involvement of communities, schools, and individual classrooms with community members, parents teachers and school staff all working collaboratively. Consistency and Continuity across the grade levels. Prevention programs should begin before adolescence and continue past adolescence.

Violence Prevention continued…….. Incorporation of cognitive, behavioral as well as affective components. Conflict resolution skills as well as skill building activities should be implemented. Policies should be adjusted reflecting changes in procedures for dealing with violent incidences.

Strategies For Empowerment Kelso’s choices teaches conflict management for early elementary aged students asking them to identify the difference between big and small problems. Kelso’s choices teaches students positive ways of dealing with problems and provides them with 9 strategies to make good choices and be proactive problem solvers. Kelso suggests that the students identify what their problem is and then to choose two strategies for dealing with the identified problem.

Summary Bullying is present at all grade levels. Bullying decreases the victims self-esteem and often times causes the manifestation of physical symptoms. Involvement from the community, school, parents and students is essential to prevent bullying. Kelso’s choices has been identified as an effective anti-bullying tool at the elementary level.