It’s that time of year—kids are back in school and the risk for peer-to-peer bullying is on the rise. We want to ensure parents are paying attention to the warning signs. And we want parents to know that if psychological symptoms begin to appear in their child’s behavior, professional help is available. If you’re in the area of West Side Cleveland, we hope you’ll reach out for help.
Here are some tips provided by the Mayo Clinic in a recent Q&A:
First, ensure your daughter understands that she has a right to be safe at school. Tell her that you want her to let you know if she ever feels unsafe at school. She may be concerned that others will see this as tattling, but reassure her that, when she is scared or feels threatened, she should talk to you and/or another trusted adult such as a teacher or school counselor.
It is important to recognize that teasing sometimes crosses the line into bullying — even at a young age. When teasing continues over time, especially if it is the same person or group of people who do it repeatedly, that is bullying. And it must be addressed. Bullying comes in many forms: physical, verbal, emotional and online. If anyone physically harms or threatens a child, or if behavior is inappropriate, that also requires immediate attention from parents and the school.
If what your daughter is experiencing fits the description of bullying, talk to her teachers and school administrators. They need to know what’s going on, so they can intervene. Creating a culture of respect in and out of the classroom is key to bullying prevention. Many schools now have anti-bullying policies that help prevent bullying, and then guide what happens when it occurs.
Many children who are bullied come through it without long-lasting problems, though the experience is hard at the time. But bullying should be dealt with as soon as possible. Children who are bullied often tend to start disliking school. Their classroom performance and grades often suffer as a result. If the bullying does not end quickly, they also are at risk for anxiety and depression. For more information, pacer.org/bullying is a reliable online resource that provides science-based advice about bullying and bullying prevention.
For the full article, click here.