New year, same problem. It’s the start of a new school year, which means new classrooms and new friends. For some, it also means facing new bullies. Let’s join the nation and take a stand against bullying one child at a time. What better child to start with than your own? The new school year is the perfect opportunity to start, or continue, the conversation with your kids about the importance of being kind to everyone and avoid being a bully.
A bully isn’t just someone who beats up on another student. According to the CDC, “Bullying is any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm.”
It is important to talk to your children about the different types of bullying. They are physical, verbal, and relational. Physical bullying is when one hits, kicks, punches, spits on, or trips another person. Verbal bullying is when someone taunts, calls another person a name, threatens, or makes sexual comments to someone else. The final type is relational, meaning someone is trying to harm another’s personal relationship by isolating them, spreading rumors, or sharing images.
According to stopbullying.gov, children are most likely to be bullied throughout elementary school. One of the key ways you can help prevent bullying is to address the bullying whenever and wherever you see it taking place. It is also important to talk to your children about the importance of being inclusive and kind to everyone, despite differences you may have.