According to a study conducted by National Center for Educational Statistics in 2015, almost one out of every four students is bullied during their schooling. Bullying exists in several forms— physically, mentally, or verbally. As parents, it has now become necessary to make your child learn how to tackle and fight back against bullying. Nowadays, bullying is not only limited to middle schools but can also occur at home due to the fast-growing digital world.
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Thus, it has become our duty to discuss bullying with your kids to contribute towards a compassionate society and strengthen and encourage them to fight against it. From letting your child communicate openly to educating your ones to take a stand for themselves, the role of parents plays a great role. In fact, teaching them kindness, the impact of words, actions, and exclusion, and embracing differences will lead to creating a safer environment, ensuring a better future for the generations to come.
Read below this article to find out the essential knowledge you should give to your kids about bullying.
Recognize Bullying
The first and foremost thing parents should know is that bullying occurs in several forms. When it comes to physical bullying, it may include hitting, pushing, or punching. On the other hand, emotional and verbal bullying includes acts of exclusion or spreading rumors about someone and threatening or teasing, respectively. There exists one other form known as cyberbullying, which is most common nowadays.
As parents, it is important to recognize any change in behavior in your kids and make them learn what exactly bullying is. In this context, parents should also make their child learn to support and empathize with someone who might be a victim of bullying.
Speak Up
Another important thing to teach your child is to communicate freely if they are suffering from bullying. You might also rely on someone trusted, such as your kid’s teacher or counselor, to share your observations and motivate your child. Their actions might assist you in creating a protective environment for your little one.
Teach Them Empathy and Kindness
This is where the parents play an important part in creating a better environment for the other kids. Teach your child to show empathy and kindness and deal with every person with respect, regardless of differences. You must also discuss with them the significance of inclusion and support and how it can help create an inclusive environment for all.
Teach Them Conflict Resolution Skills
Making them speak confidently is an essential step in developing conflict resolution skills. Let them speak out their emotions and feelings openly without the fear of getting judged. Additionally, you can try encouraging them to use the term “I” more often to emphasize their personal opinions and intellect. Moreover, you can try asking them to do their favorite things and indulging in self-talk and techniques to raise their confidence. Having such a confident personality will make it less likely for others to bully your child.
Ensure Online Safety
Cyberbullying has turned out to be a greater challenge, especially due to technological advancements and unrestricted presence on various social media platforms. Thus, it is the responsibility of the parents to discuss the significance of private information, implement the necessary privacy settings, and be aware of online interactions with their kids. Simultaneously, also teach your child about their own accountability and let them recognize the effects of their words and actions on other digital users.
Seeking Help
Seeking help has never been a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a sign of strength for choosing to speak up openly for yourself. Encourage your kids to share their incidents with you about getting bullied or if they have witnessed someone else getting bullied. Lastly, assure them that you support them and are always available to seek a solution together if such incidents happen.
Takeaway
From teaching your child to recognize bullying to encouraging them to show empathy and kindness to others, the role of parents plays an essential role in making a safer environment for your kids as well as others. This comprehensive guide gives all the helpful insights that you must teach your little ones about bullying.
