Prevent Bullying in Schools - The Kids' Solution

I like this activity because it puts the kids in control, forces them to think about different viewpoints and the consequences of their behaviour. It directly involves them in a discussion about bullying behaviour and what they can do to resolve various bullying situations.

1. Divide the class into small groups of approximately five children.

2. Describe a school bullying scenario to each group, for example, a child is too afraid to go to school because they are teased by the other children, or a child has his lunch money taken from him on a regular basis.

3. Ask each group to brainstorm what they would do if they were the bullied child. Then ask them to suggest what action they think the child's parent should take, the teacher and what outcome they would expect to see.

4. Get the groups to share their bullying situation and recommended action with the rest of the class.

Children should be encouraged to identify appropriate and realistic action to each school bullying situation. They should identify who they could turn to for help and the outcome they would expect from their adult carers.

For more great bullying lessons, advice and ideas, check out www.kidslessons4life.comwhere you can try our bullying prevention program for free.

Prevent Bullying in Schools - Individual Role-plays

Role-plays are a great way for children to see and experience bullying situations from the perspective of a bully and bullied victim.

The following role-plays are recommended for a one on one situation between either a parent and child or teacher and child, to teach them about the harmful effects of bullying and how to respond to a bullying situation.

In all situations the adult should play the role of the bully.

1. Say something mean to the child and ask them to respond. (Emphasis on verbal bullying)

2. Threaten to do something mean to the child and ask them to respond.(Emphasis on verbal bullying and knowledge of where they can go for help if they are confronted with a bullying situation.)

3. Tell the child something nasty about someone they know and ask them to respond. (Emphasis on verbal bullying, rumours and gossiping.)

Warning - Some children may be particularly vulnerable or sensitive to these bullying role-plays based on their age, personality type and prior experience with bullying at school. It is essential for the safety and well-being of the child that role-plays on bullying are carefully facilitated and directed by the parent/adult.

More role-plays suited to small groups have been provided in my previous blog 'Prevent Bullying in Schools - Classroom Role-plays'.

For more great bullying lessons, tips and ideas, check out www.kidslessons4life.com

Prevent Bullying in Schools - Classroom Role-plays

Role-plays are a great way for children to see and experience bullying situations from the perspective of a bully and bullied victim.

The following role-plays are recommended for small groups of children, aged 3-8 years to teach them about the harmful effects of bullying.

1. A child is being teased and pushed around by a bigger child. Some friends close by see it happen. (Emphasis on physical bullying and the important role of bystanders in stopping the bully and preventing further bullying incidents. This is otherwise known as by-stander training.)

2. A child is talking to a group of friends and starts bullying another child by saying mean things about them. She has been making up nasty lies about them. (Emphasis on verbal bullying, gossiping and rumours.)

3. A child is too scared to go outside and play because they are afraid another child who has been bullying them by saying nasty things and threatening to hurt them. (Emphasis on physical bullying and threats of violence.)

Warning - Some children may be particularly vulnerable or sensitive to these bullying role-plays based on their age, personality type and prior experience with bullying at school. It is essential for the safety and well-being of the child that role-plays on bullying are carefully facilitated and directed by the parent/adult.

More role-plays suited to one on one interaction between a child and parent or child and teacher will be discussed in my next blog.

For more great bullying lessons, tips and ideas, check out www.kidslessons4life.com

Prevent Bullying in Schools - Bursting Stereotypes

My last blog shared a great activity to prevent bullying in schools by educating children on the meaning of stereotypes.

This activity is a great extension of that bullying prevention activity and is sure to reinforce the child's learning.

Get the children to think of different phrases or statements that might be made about a person or group of people. For example, 'people who go to a private school are spoilt', 'the eldest child in the family is the smartest', 'men are smarter than women', 'Italian boys are better soccer players than Australian boys'.

The children should write down the statements (stereotypes) on a piece of paper and pin them to a pinboard beneath a blown up balloon.

Read out each statement to the children. Ask whether or not the statement seems 'fair' 'just' 'reasonable'. Do the statements stereotype or discriminate against a certain class or group of people?

As the children identify that the statement is unfair or unjust, burst the balloon.

When you are left with no balloons on the pinboard, reinforce the damage that can be caused by stereotyping.

Thank you to my Melbourne Uni English lecturer for sharing this great classroom activity with me 18 years ago!

Bullying in schools continues to be a real concern for parents and teachers around the world. Bursting stereotypes is one way to prevent bullying in schools and educate children on the harmful effects of bullying. For more great bullying prevention strategies, check out www.kidslessons4life.com

Stop bullying today through early education and communication with children. Together we can make a diffence.

Prevent Bullying in Schools - Teaching About Stereotypes

Here's another great lesson for kids to help prevent bullying in schools. It's not about bullying directly but it will help reduce the number of children bullying in schools. The idea is to get kids thinking about stereotypes.

1. Get started by posting two pictures of a boy and a girl on the whiteboard.
   
2. Ask the kids to think of words or phrases that describe the two children - such as 'likes flowers' 'good at soccer' 'likes long hair' 'likes playing with cars'.
   
3. Ask the children whether or not the phrases they have come up with are 'fair' and whether or not we can assume that all boys or girls match these statements.
   
4. You can demonstrate this example further by making statements such as 'All red cars drive faster than blue cars', 'Girls are better at reading than boys', 'People who wear glasses are smarter than those who don't wear glasses' 'Kids that wear ties are nerds'.
   The idea is to make sure that the children can see the link between the statements/phrases and the meaning of stereotyping.

Educating kids on the meaning of stereotyping is the first step in creating an inclusive culture in the classroom. Acceptance and tolerance is essential for every school that wants to prevent bulling in schools and bullying behaviour in general.

1 in every 5 children is affected by bullying in schools. It is essential that we be proactive and start the bullying education early. Try this proactive lesson about stereotyping to prevent bullying in schools. For more great ideas check out the lessons4life website www.kidslessons4life.com

How to Prevent Bullying - Lessons on Tolerance and Inclusion

After observing activity on the lessons4life forum and how much interest there is in finding new and exciting ways of teaching children about the harmful effects of bullying in schools, I have decided to spend some time doing the research for you.

Over the coming weeks I will provide you with tried and tested lessons from teachers and parents around the world.

One of the important things to remember when educating young children on the effects of bullying, is not to focus on bullying behaviour alone, but rather concentrate on creating an inclusive culture in the classroom. By teaching about tolerance and inclusion you will reduce the number of bullying incidents and teasing that occurs in schools in a positive way.

Here is a great lesson adapted from Gary Hopkins lessons posted on educationworld.com

1. Draw and cut out the silhoutte of a child. Introduce the child as a new student to the classroom and give them a name.
   


2. Explain how difficult it can be to be the new person in a classroom - especially if other children in the classroom are mean.
   


3. Have each child say something mean to the 'new student' such as 'We dont like you', 'Your hair is ugly' or 'You cant play with us!'
   


4. As each comment is made, rip off a large piece of the cut out and hand it to the child.
   


5. Once everyone has had a chance to say something, it is time to repair the damage. Get each child to apologise to the 'new student' for what they have said and slowly tape the 'new student' back together.
   


6. When the cut out is taped back together, discuss how they don't look the same. What was said has scarred the new student and they will never be the same.
   


7. Remind the children of the long-term effects of what they say.
   


8. Consider posting the cut out on the wall as a reminder to children of what they have learned.
   
   I'd love your feedback on this school bullying lesson. I think it sounds like a great activity for kids.
   
   Remember to check out www.kidslessons4life.com forum for other great bullying lessons and activities.
   

When your child is the schoool bully

From the moment your child was born, you could not imagine anyone more precious. Your little one filled your heart with joy and continuously gave you reason to smile. But today you received confirmation that your child has been bullying other children….

‘What? Not my child? Where did I go wrong?’ You might ask.

No parent wants to hear that their child is being bullied, and for some parents, it can be even worse to find out that their child is the school bully.

The good news is, you have not failed as a parent, and you are certainly not alone. Any one of our children can exhibit school bullying behaviour – yours and mine.
Help is readily available and now is the best time to take action.

For some useful tips on how to combat school bullying behaviour, check out the free bullying articles available at kidslessons4life.com
Remember that each child and situation is unique. Apply the steps that you think will work best for your child.

Most importantly, smother your child with love, support and empathy. A child with a strong self-esteem, who feels loved and nurtured is less likely to continue the school bullying behaviour.