Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
How to teach your children about bullying
22 November 2016 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
Bullying has unfortunately become a common occurrence in the lives of young people. It is an intentional act that is meant to hurt and dominate another person, characterized by an imbalance of power between the child who bullies and the target. Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional (social), or sexual, and can occur anywhere — including and especially online.
Taking action against bullying starts with all of us recognizing that bullying is a community problem, not just a school-based issue. Adults have a responsibility to create positive environments for children to develop and maintain healthy relationships, and to teach children how to connect with people respectfully, in positive, healthy ways.
In honour of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, here are a few tips to help address bullying issues:
What can I tell child victims of bullying?
Start by making sure they know that it’s not their fault, and that talking to an adult they trust will make the problem better, not worse. Then, help them identify people or areas where they feel safe, so they know where to go or to whom to turn when they are being bullied. In addition, it’s important to remind them to “fight back with words, not fists,” and empower them to tell a bully that what they’re doing is wrong.
What can I tell my kids if their friends are being bullied?
Encourage all children to be a part of the solution by speaking up whenever they see someone being bullied. This could mean standing up to a bully directly, getting help from an adult, or comforting a friend being bullied by inviting them to a safe place or reassuring them that it’s not their faults.
What if my child is the bully?
It can be very upsetting for a parent to learn their child has been labeled a bully. As shocking and difficult as this information can be, it is important to address the issue right away. If your child is bullying others, start by trying to determine why they’re taking this action. How does your child feel about him/herself? Are they being bullied? Are their friends being bullied? These questions will open up a dialogue to start to talk about bullying.
Children need help learning about empathy, respect, and compassion. Help your child understand that everyone has feelings and that feelings matter. You can take turns playing the part of the child who does the bullying and the one who is bullied. Role playing will help your child understand what it is like to be in the other person’s shoes. This will also help your child learn different ways to resolve conflict and deal with feelings such as anger, insecurity, or frustration. Role model and reward appropriate behavior.
Lastly, seek support from your child’s doctor/teacher/principal and find out if your school or community public health offers a bullying prevention program. Getting help not only will help your child learn to understand and deal with bullying behavior, but also help you as a parent.
You can find more information and resources for bullying prevention at prevnet.ca.
Taking action against bullying starts with all of us recognizing that bullying is a community problem, not just a school-based issue. Adults have a responsibility to create positive environments for children to develop and maintain healthy relationships, and to teach children how to connect with people respectfully, in positive, healthy ways.
In honour of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, here are a few tips to help address bullying issues:
What can I tell child victims of bullying?
Start by making sure they know that it’s not their fault, and that talking to an adult they trust will make the problem better, not worse. Then, help them identify people or areas where they feel safe, so they know where to go or to whom to turn when they are being bullied. In addition, it’s important to remind them to “fight back with words, not fists,” and empower them to tell a bully that what they’re doing is wrong.
What can I tell my kids if their friends are being bullied?
Encourage all children to be a part of the solution by speaking up whenever they see someone being bullied. This could mean standing up to a bully directly, getting help from an adult, or comforting a friend being bullied by inviting them to a safe place or reassuring them that it’s not their faults.
What if my child is the bully?
It can be very upsetting for a parent to learn their child has been labeled a bully. As shocking and difficult as this information can be, it is important to address the issue right away. If your child is bullying others, start by trying to determine why they’re taking this action. How does your child feel about him/herself? Are they being bullied? Are their friends being bullied? These questions will open up a dialogue to start to talk about bullying.
Children need help learning about empathy, respect, and compassion. Help your child understand that everyone has feelings and that feelings matter. You can take turns playing the part of the child who does the bullying and the one who is bullied. Role playing will help your child understand what it is like to be in the other person’s shoes. This will also help your child learn different ways to resolve conflict and deal with feelings such as anger, insecurity, or frustration. Role model and reward appropriate behavior.
Lastly, seek support from your child’s doctor/teacher/principal and find out if your school or community public health offers a bullying prevention program. Getting help not only will help your child learn to understand and deal with bullying behavior, but also help you as a parent.
You can find more information and resources for bullying prevention at prevnet.ca.
