Back to School 2016
BACK TO SCHOOL | SAFETY AT SCHOOL
Watch Out For Bullying
B
ullying and cyberbullying is either physical or verbal and occurs when
a child picks on another child repeatedly. It can happen anywhere at
anytime, and isn’t restricted to the playground or school bus anymore.
Social media has enabled
bullying to happen from afar.
There are more avenues than
ever before for bullying to
infiltrate, making it critical
that parents keep a close eye
on all communication plat-
forms their children use.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends these
tips for keeping your children
safe from bullying this school
year:
WHEN YOUR CHILD
IS BULLIED
Help your child learn how
to respond by teaching your
child how to:
• Look the bully in the eye;
• Stand tall and stay calm in
a difficult situation; and
• Walk away.
Teach your child how to say
in a firm voice:
• “I don’t like what you are
doing.”
• “Please do NOT talk to me
like that.”
• “Why would you say
that?”
Other tips include teaching
your child when and how to
ask a trusted adult for help
and encouraging your child to
make friends with other chil-
dren. You also should be will-
ing to work closely with
school teachers and adminis-
trators to help monitor the
situation when you are
unable to be around.
© FOTOLIA
WHEN YOUR CHILD
IS THE BULLY
out for some reason.
Regardless of the cause, it’s up
There may be an occurrence to you to step in. Here are more
that involves your child partici- tips from the AAP:
• Be sure your child knows
pating in bullying behavior.
that bullying is never OK;
Maybe he got wrapped up in
• Set firm and consistent lim-
the wrong crowd or is acting
its on your child’s aggressive
behavior;
• Be a positive role model to
show children they can get
what they want without teas-
ing, threatening or hurting;
• Use effective, non-physical
discipline, such as loss of privi-
leges; and
• Develop practical solutions
with the school principal,
teachers, counselors and par-
ents of the children your child
has bullied.
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