3 Strategies to Prevent Bullying in Your Elementary School
Is there bullying in your child’s school? The answer, sadly, is probably a resounding ‘yes.’
Bullying is one of those topics many parents and administrators don’t want to talk about. Some even deny it exists. Even in the 21st century, bullying is often ignored or downplayed. But the consequences are as critical as they have ever been.
But that doesn’t mean we should try trying to eradicate it.
I’m school assembly expert Joe Romano. Each year, I visit hundreds of schools in Virginia and surrounding areas. Using magic and interactive fun, I deliver important, curriculum-based messages to schools just like yours. Each month, I write helpful articles like this to assist busy parents and school administrators in coping with their daily challenges.
Bullying is a particularly thorny issue for one major reason.
Why Bullying is Still a Problem in Elementary Schools
Let’s set aside for the moment the issues of social media. And let’s tip type past the fact that some parents are not teaching their kids the right messages. Or that many aren’t as involved in their kids’ lives as they should be.
All of the above are true. However, a major component of bullying is empathy. Or the lack of it.
Boiled down to its essence, empathy is seeing something from someone else’s point of view. Or imagining how you would feel if you were in the other person’s shoes. And that’s the problem.
Many children who bully seem to lack the ability to feel empathy. And that makes it extremely hard to ‘de-program’ their behavior.
One possible solution is to empower the bullied. Let them know they are not alone. Communicate to them possible solutions. And help them when they need it. While there is a mountain of ideas to help bullying victims, let’s look at a few solutions below.
Bullying in Schools Prevention Tip #1: Encourage Kids to Find Their Voice
Kids who are bullied are often intimidated by the bully (and their friends) to remain quiet. One of the most effective weapons against bullying is for the victims to speak out. Make themselves heard.
Some experts estimate that if bullying victims take a stand or speak up, bullying can be reduced by almost 50%! That is an amazing number. But many kids are afraid to speak up. They’re understandably frightened. But there’s another group who can easily speak up.
It’s not the bullied. And it’s not the bullies. These kids are bystanders. They’re the ones watching what’s going on., The ones who happen to walk by when the bully does something behind a teacher’s back. Encourage bystanders in your school to speak up.
Start a school-wide initiative. Let kids know that speaking up is not a bad thing. It’s not tattling. It’s not ratting someone out. It’s simply protecting someone.
Bullying in Schools Prevention Tip #2: Anonymous Dropbox
Many victims of bullying in schools are too afraid to speak up. They’re afraid that speaking up will only make things worse. And they are not the only ones. Many bystanders are afraid to get involved, too. They’re afraid that by speaking up, they’ll become targets of the bully as well.
One simple tip is to use an anonymous dropbox. Have a physical box located in or near the main office. If a bystander or even a victim of bullying wants to report something, they can do so anonymously. It’s an effective way to let kids speak out against bullying without the fear of backlash.
Bullying in Schools Prevention Tip #3: Clearly Define Bullying
Some children grow up believing that bullying is acceptable. They learn through example that the cool kids matter. And any bullying is merely teasing. Or it’s the price they pay for being ‘different.’ And that’s because bullying is often undefined. And bullying can take different forms.
Start by understanding your state laws. What is bullying? What forms does it take?
And your school’s children need to know. Give clear, easily understood examples and definitions. Continue to have discussions in class. Do everything you can to ensure children know what acceptable behavior is…and what is not.
Bully Prevention in Your School
We aren’t going to get rid of bullying overnight. The more we address it, the more we can help our children understand what it is, how harmful it is, and most importantly what they can do to empower themselves.
My “The Magic in You” school assembly program encourages good behavior in K-5 elementary school students. Packed with powerful messages, amazing magic, and join-in fun, it’s the perfect way to launch an anti-bullying initiative in your school. Contact me today for detailed information.
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