Bullying

In the elementary school years, bullies are more likely to use threats and physical force, combined with direct verbal bullying, to make victims do things against their will.  At this age, some children begin to use indirect bullying to exclude peers from their social circle.

Adults can teach children important bullying prevention skills and guide children as they practice using these skills.  Social skills that form an important foundation for bullying prevention include:

Solving social problems

Sharing Voluntarily                                                      

Interacting assertively

Showing empathy toward others 

TIPS FOR STANDING UP TO BULLIES

• Take a deep breath and let the air out slowly.
• Sit or stand tall, head up.
• Keep your hands at your sides rather than on your hips or folded across your chest.
• Have a relaxed and purposeful facial expression, not angry or laughing.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Speak with a calm voice, loud enough to be heard clearly.
• Use non-provocative words and a confident tone of voice.
• Avoid name calling or making threats.
• Avoid finger pointing or other threatening gestures.
• Reply briefly and directly.
• Avoid bringing up past grudges or making generalizations (you always...).

Bullying situations usually involve more than the bully and the victim.  They also involve BYSTANDERS - those who watch the bullying happen or hear about it.  Bystanders' actions make a critical difference.  Children and adults should think ahead about what they will do when they witness or hear about bullying.

More than 1/2 the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds of a bystander stepping in to help.

This information was taken from the www.eyesonbullying.org website, which was promoted from the National Association of School Psychologists.