What kind of children are bullied

Teach more appropriate and nonviolent ways to react, like walking away. Teach kids to treat others with respect and kindness. Teach your child that it is wrong to ridicule differences like race , religion, appearance, special needs, gender, economic status.

Try to instill a sense of empathy for those who are different. Consider getting involved together in a community group where your child can interact with kids who are different. Learn about your child's social life. Look for insight into what may be influencing your child's behavior at school or wherever the bullying happens. Talk with parents of your child's friends and peers, teachers, guidance counselors, and the school principal.

Do other kids bully? What about your child's friends? What kinds of pressures do the kids face at school? Talk to your kids about those relationships and about the pressures to fit in. Get them involved in activities outside of school so that they meet and develop friendships with other kids. Encourage good behavior.

Positive reinforcement can be more powerful than negative discipline. Who Is at Risk. Children More Likely to Bully Others There are two types of kids who are more likely to bully others: Some are well-connected to their peers, have social power, are overly concerned about their popularity, and like to dominate or be in charge of others.

Others are more isolated from their peers and may be depressed or anxious, have low self esteem, be less involved in school, be easily pressured by peers, or not identify with the emotions or feelings of others. Children who have these factors are also more likely to bully others; Are aggressive or easily frustrated Have less parental involvement or having issues at home Think badly of others Have difficulty following rules View violence in a positive way Have friends who bully others Remember, those who bully others do not need to be stronger or bigger than those they bully.

It is even possible to be bullied through text messaging on a cell phone. Chid bullying can happen in any of these forms. For the most part, boys prefer to use physical intimidation tactics in their bullying. They will use physical aggression to force others to do what they want, or to feel in charge of a situation. Girls, on the other hand, are more likely to use the subtle methods of child bullying like verbal abuse. Girls are also more likely to be adept at emotional bullying by ostracizing their victims or finding some other way to make harass or belittle others.

Many parents are concerned that their child might be a victim of a child bullying. Some of the signs that a child is being bullied include:. Educate your children about bullying. Once they know what bullying is, your children will be able to identify it more easily, whether it is happening to them or someone else.

Talk openly and frequently to your children. The more you talk to your children about bullying, the more comfortable they will be telling you if they see or experience it. Check in with your children daily and ask about their time at school and their activities online, inquiring not only about their classes and activities, but also about their feelings. Help your child be a positive role model. There are three parties to bullying: the victim, the perpetrator, and the bystander.

Even if children are not victims of bullying, they can prevent bullying by being inclusive, respectful and kind to their peers. Encourage your child to enrol in classes or join activities they love in your community. This will also help build confidence as well as a group of friends with shared interests. Be a role model. Show your child how to treat other children and adults with kindness and respect by doing the same to the people around you, including speaking up when others are being mistreated.

Children look to their parents as examples of how to behave, including what to post online. Be part of their online experience. What signs should I look out for? Look closely. Signs to look out for include: Physical marks such as unexplained bruises, scratches, broken bones and healing wounds Fear of going to school or joining school events Being anxious, nervous or very vigilant Having few friends in school or outside of school Losing friends suddenly or avoiding social situations Clothing, electronics or other personal belongings being lost or destroyed Often asking for money Low academic performance Absenteeism, or calling from school asking to go home Trying to stay near adults Not sleeping well and may be having nightmares Complaining of headaches, stomach aches or other physical ailments Regularly distressed after spending time online or on their phone without a reasonable explanation Becomes unusually secretive, especially when it comes to online activities Being aggressive or having angry outbursts Talk openly.

Talk to your children about what they think is good and bad behaviour in school, in the community and online. It is important to have open communication so that your children will feel comfortable telling you about what is happening in their lives.

Responding to bullying. What should I do if my child is being bullied or threatened?