What We Know
Bullying is a learned behavior. Children with positive relationships with their parents are less likely to be bullies. Children with positive relationships with their parents are less likely to be bullied. Schools that emphasize partnerships between administrators, teachers, parents, and students are highly effective at reducing bullying.
To prevent bullying it's important for all children to know
- How to recognize their own feelings
- How to manage their own feelings
- How to recognize others' feelings
- How to help and support others with their feelings
Parents are the most important role model for their children and their most important socializing agents.
What is Not Bullying
When talking about bullying, it is important for parents, teachers, and students to understand what bullying is NOT. Many time a behavior or comment is inappropriate, but should not be labeled bullying.
- Not liking someone - verbal and non verbal messages of "I don't like you", are not acts of bullying.
- Being excluded - occasional exclusion is unpleasant and can hurt feelings, but it is not an act of bullying.
- Making other kids play things a certain way - "bossy" behavior is not bullying
- A single act of joke telling, teasing, or making fun of someone - unless it happens repeatedly and is done with intent to harm, telling jokes is not bullying.
- Arguments/conflicts - it's natural for children to have different interests and disagree. Unless there is an imbalance of power, conflict is not bullying.
- Isolated acts of harassment, aggressive behavior, or intimidation may not be bullying. It depends on he intent of the action and the balance of power.
