Bullying is a major problem among children from beginning elementary years through high school. It is imperative to give kids the tools they need to stop bullying and to educate them about the effects of this behavior. Parents and educators can take time to discuss bullying with kids. If you notice that a child is a victim of bullying or the bully himself, it is even more important to get to the root of the problem and perhaps bring in some outside help (such as a principal, therapist, parent, teachers) to help resolve and monitor the problem. If you witness or feel there is bullying among kids, there are a few steps you can take to stop the behavior.
Step 1
Immediately stop the behavior, if you are there. Take mental notes on what kind of bullying is going on (physical, emotional). Who are the perpetrators? Who are the victims?
Step 2
Talk to the bully about the hurt he is inflicting upon the victim. Discuss ways for the bully to reconcile the behavior.
Step 3
Decide upon a consistent form of punishment for the bully. If this is the first report of this child bullying or it is a minor incident, give the child a warning and be clear about the consequence if the behavior reoccurs.
Step 4
Call parents and/or a counselor if the child regularly acts as a bully and is not responding to intervention.
Step 5
Reassure the victim and let her know who to talk to if the situation happens again.
Step 6
Lead group discussions (with a group of students, a class, the entire school or with your own children) about bullying to help prevent it in the future and to give the children tools on how to deal with it. Discuss what bullying is, how it hurts people, who can help and ways to avoid bullies and deal with a bully. Children should be taught to avoid potential bullies, how to firmly tell a bully "no" or "stop" and to let a responsible adult know when he or someone else is being bullied.
Step 7
Be a good role model. Show children how to effectively interact with other people by being kind, polite and confident in your daily interactions.
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