Bully Prevention - Part 1

Bullying is an issue that touches all people either directly or indirectly, regardless of age, gender, culture, religion or nationality. 

What is bullying? 

It is the repeated or systematic harassment of others, through:

- Physical violence
- Verbal taunts and put downs,
- Threats and intimidation,
- Extortion or stealing money or possessions
  or even exclusion from a peer group. 

Bullying is a learned behavior, just like smoking, drinking or recycling and therefore can be changed.  Through education and awareness bullying can be prevented. This is not just a school problem but is also a community issue and everyone can play a role in addressing this problem.  Bullying can have many consequences leading to life long health problems for the victim and at its worse, bullying can kill. 

To fix the problem requires strategies that encourage respect and empathy for others. We must educate not only the bully and the bullied, but also the silent majority, “the bystander.”  They must be taught that this behavior is not acceptable in this society.  We must create a “telling” environment.

 In the next installments we will touch on;

- What are the causes of bullying

- Who is the bully, the victim and the bystander and what do they look like
- What is cyber bullying, what can be done to prevent bullying
- What parents can do if their child is being bullied or is a bully.

Remember everyone has the right to be respected and has the responsibility to respect others.  It’s not what others can do, but what we can do as a community. “Be the change.” “Be a friend.”

Winston Walls (BA, BEd)

Retired School Teacher

Educational Advisory Board

www.ParentTeacherClub.com

For More information on bullying prevention and the Spyke & Spencer Safe Schools Bullying Prevention Program.
visit www.ParentTeacherClub.com

 About Spyke and Spencer:

While playing one day we thought it would be fun to share our adventures with others, so we asked our parents if they would help. We told them we wanted to let the world know that when you treat others nice, you will be happy and they will want to be your friend. Our parents told us they agreed with this great idea, and they would help by doing the typing and taking photographs.

 (click the book above to order your copy)

“The Adventures of Spyke & Spencer”, is our first children’s book in a series. Our books teach children important values including friendship, honesty, responsibility, compassion, sharing, kindness, loyalty and citizenship as seen through our eyes and hearts and those of our friends.

Spyke & Spencer and their Friends help children learn about diversity, friendship & mutual respect. Our books also promote anti-bullying principles in a creative and unique way.  Messages like “be a FRIEND not a bully” and “It’s Nice to be Important, but it’s More Important to be Nice” are lessons for children of all ages.