Dimensions of Early Childhood - Southern Early Childhood ...

the situation if the victim and/or
bully are unknown to them by role
playing giving the details that must
be reported so the adult knows the
correct action to take. For example,
the reporter needs to tell the adult
❑ when the bullying occurred
❑ where it occurred
❑ who was involved
❑ what happened
Practicing all of these scenarios is
recommended throughout the school
Role play how to
report bullying.
year as children mature.
Step 6: Establish a
Reporting System
Make sure children know which
adults in the building and elsewhere
in the community are responsible
for receiving bullying reports. Make
sure children know their names and
where to find them—and that the
adults know the children!
With all these efforts, some children
may still be reluctant to report
bullying. In these cases, a system to
anonymously report situations may
be needed. For older children, a suggestion
box could be established in
which a student fills out a form and
inserts it into a box that the principal
regularly checks.
Simple awareness of their behavior
may deter some bullies from acting
out their inclination to harass
others at school. The students who
are constant offenders need to be
found out and appropriately counseled
and/or disciplined.
Resolving the bully’s underlying
issues creates a challenge for teachers
and families. Each bully’s motivation
is specific to the child; therefore,
the focus of a school-wide program
is to eliminate the conditions
that make it convenient for the
bully to act out his or her aggression.
Establishing clear expectations
for positive behavior and consistent
consequences, such as removal from
the situation and contacting parents
when inappropriate behavior
occurs, are recommended strategies
to help the bully (Davis, 2005;
National Association of School Psychologists,
2002).
* * *
When students, educators, and
families come together as a community
of learners to create something
important for the good of everyone,
they all have a sense of ownership
and belonging. Children who know
that the adults in their world care
enough to help them establish a program
for their protection and safety
will contribute a great deal to the
program’s positive atmosphere.
Children will see school as not only
a safe place, but a good place to
belong, where people care about
each other. What better way to help
young children grow in justice,
compassion, and human dignity?
Hearing about bullying and living
with it on a daily basis often
makes the issue seem too overwhelming
for one teacher to make a
difference. There are no easy answers.
However, if one teacher can influence
others to pull together, major
changes can be made. One school at
a time, the problem of bullying can
be turned around and result in a
stronger community. Children deserve
safe places to learn and play.
References
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