School bullying or bullying is a topic that sensitizes parents and teachers alike, generating concern especially when starting school, however, rarely have all the tools to explain to the small at their level that is this deep, painful and harmful topic. Therefore, we tend to avoid the issue and act when an event has happened, so that this does not happen, we have several tips for you.
The first thing is that as parents we must really understand what bullying is and how it operates in schools, if we 'normalize' certain behaviors that are bullying attitudes we will be less likely to explain to our children those things that are not right. For example: the use of nicknames or jocular nicknames to refer to classmates, such as those given to children who wear glasses, or who are overweight, or who are different. If we normalize these practices, the child will not understand that it is disrespectful and verbally violent.
Let's review our behaviors as parents:
Do we make jokes about the appearance of others? Do we joke out of place with people? Do we normalize bullying behaviors? The first thing we must do is to deconstruct ourselves in this aspect, distancing ourselves from things 'already learned' in our generation, such as that these jokes 'build character', 'I don't want my child to be a wimp', 'if they are violent with you, defend yourself with your fists', or similar behaviors that perhaps because of our own upbringing were standardized in our education at home.
Remember that we always lead by example.
What is bullying? It is a repetitive pattern of behavior that intentionally seeks to hurt or harm another. Bullying is a power play by a child who believes he or she is 'above the rest' and who ridicules, belittles or hurts another child whom he or she considers 'inferior'. Bullying can occur in the offline world or through digital platforms such as social networks, the latter is the type of bullying mostly suffered by pre-teens and young people due to the pressure of being subjected to the popularity standards of 2.0.
Cyberbullying also uses anonymity and the lax rules of the Internet to do damage so deep that it can lead to suicide or self-harm in those being bullied.
Talk to your children about this subject naturally and firmly:
Explain to them in simple words about respect, about human dignity and violence. Explain to them with clear examples what they are not allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do to them. Foster a space of trust, safety and transparency so they can tell you if they are being bullied.
Communicate with their teachers, ask questions and find out how they behave in the classroom:
Investigate if there have been changes in their behavior, if they have strange behaviors either shyness or irritability. See if anything in his socialization patterns has changed, if he is afraid to go to school.
Help him to trust himself:
Make him see that he can be a positive role model, that his behavior impacts the lives of others and that every action has consequences. Teach him that no one has the right to mistreat, humiliate or judge others.
Finally, be a part of his life, his online and offline experiences, ask him to tell you about his day, ask him about the platforms he uses, show interest beyond 'concern' or censure and review. Make them feel they can count on you and that they are learning this hand in hand. Encourage a policy of transparency and non-mystery with social media and the web.
Submit comment Cancel Reply