As a teacher, I am faced with the issue of bullying on a daily basis. Parents are concerned that their child is being bullied whether online or in person, a student is upset because their friend is being bullied or I witness bullying and many student bystanders, who only interfere after the bullying has occurred. The issue of bullying is as prevalent as ever – Ontario school board statistics indicate that over 77% of children have been bullied.
My daughter is in Grade 1 and has shared with me numerous incidences of teasing, bullying, and of being “the innocent bystander.” She has learned how to deal with many situations because we role play at home. We play out various scenarios I’ve experienced in my own classroom and it’s interesting to see how she deals with them. I’ve taught her to stand up for herself but to also walk away when a solution is impossible, especially if there isn’t a teacher to assist at that time. Teachers only see about eight percent of bullying incidences! The role playing has truly helped and she is a confident and strong minded child, perhaps a little too strong willed. We’ve discussed that being a bystander is just like being a bully. If you see that some else is being bullied, stand up for them! It isn’t enough to just tell your children to help, you need to show them how by role playing and through your own experiences.
You can’t change other children, your coworkers, strangers who are bullies but you can change your own and your children’s perspectives’. Learn how to protect children by teaching them to stand up for themselves and others. Instilling confidence is the key and allowing them to voice their opinions of what is right and wrong will help them protect others. Encouraging a sense of self from a young age, will also encourage your child to feel valued and know their self worth. It is often difficult to see your child as a person who can function emotionally independent but it is of utmost importance to show them they can so they are protected when we cant be there.
These skills will not only help them get through the school years but also deal with their co-workers, friends and other adult relationships. So go ahead and start your role playing, it works wonders!
