Misconceptions Lead To
• Vandalism
• Stealing
• Alcohol and drugs
• Violent crimes
• Depression
• Withdrawal
Bullying Defined
• The deliberate and repeated infliction of physical, verbal or emotional abuse intended to harm others
Forms of Bullying
• Physical
• Verbal
• Emotional or social
• Cyber
Physical Bullying
• Hitting
• Kicking
• Spitting
• Pushing
• Taking money or personal belongings
Verbal Bullying
• Taunting
• Malicious teasing
• Name-calling
• Making threats
Emotional or Social Bullying
• Spreading rumors
• Manipulating social relationships
• Engaging in social exclusion
• Extortion
• Intimidation
Cyber Bullying
• Form of emotional or social bullying
• Insults / threats via emails
• Instant messaging
• Chat rooms
• Text messaging
• On-line diaries or blogs
Who, When and Where
• Involves males more than females
• Begins in elementary grades
• Takes place in & around school
• Often witnessed by peers
Assessing the Current Program
• Restructure environment
• Increase supervision
• Promote interpersonal skills
• Curriculum-based anti-bullying programs
• Cell phone and internet use
Is That Kid Being Bullied?
• Child most likely won’t tell
• Child feels ashamed
• Look for behavioral signs
• Trust your instincts
Bullies
• Control others
• Lack empathy
• May be popular
• Associate with like children
Targets
• Reluctance to go to school
• Ripped or missing belongings
• Decreased success in class
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
• Lowered self-esteem
Dealing with a Target
• Talk in private
• Assure child you view bullying as serious
• Counsel child on ways to avoid being bullied
• Reassure child preventative steps will be taken
Dealing with a Bully
• Talk in private
• Remind child about the rules
• Explain why child’s behavior was unacceptable
• State what behavior is expected
Witnessing Bullying
• Stand between the children
• State what you saw / heard
• Explain rules and consequences
• Talk with witnesses separately
• Inform other staff members
Parents
• Contact immediately
• Explain school’s concerns
• Be supportive and non-judgmental
• Plans for monitoring and resolving
• Ask for input
• Offer to update
Remember
• Bullying is a learned behavior
• Developed over a long period of time
• Takes time to fix
• Bullying is the responsibility of the bully