As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents are left to ponder more pressing issues than notebooks, backpacks, and sneakers.
Will my child succeed this year? Will his academic and social growth meet my hopes and expectations? Have I done everything I can to make this possible?
If you haven't prepared your child for the school bully, not only could your dreams and aspirations end in failure, but your child could fall victim to the violence, and suffer long-lasting repercussions.
Make no mistake; bullying is a form of violence. Experts estimate that almost 75% of today's youth will be involved in some aspect of bullying before they enter high school. And chances are, your child will be among the statistics.
Humiliation, fear, anxiety and depression are the constant companions of a child that is bullied. It can lead to harmful, shocking and unexpected behavior from an otherwise shy or timid child.
Victims feel ashamed and tend to view themselves as failures. They are more prone to stress related illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches. In extreme cases, the victim of a bully can experience sever depression and entertain thoughts of suicide.
Lack of safety is one of the top concerns of young people, and bullying is a real and constant threat. A child's emotional development is just as important, if not more so, than academic development. In fact, a safe, healthy emotional environment is essential to academic growth and success.
How do you prepare your child for the school bully?
Become involved and make certain your school has active anti-bullying policies in place. Disciplinary guidelines, procedures for investigating and reporting incidences of bullying, adequate supervision, and an immediate plan of action to address reports of bullying are key elements to a successful program.
Teach your child to walk tall and proud and to maintain eye contact. Portraying a positive, self-confident stature will help your child cope in many areas.
Be certain to compliment your child and gently encourage changes that will bolster self-esteem. Use positive words that validate his or her rights as a person.
Use role-playing techniques to illustrate proper responses to negative situations. This will build strength, courage and provide your child with valuable emotional resources to pull from in times of trouble.
Help your child to identify role models, from sports heroes to everyday man. Discuss the obstacles and accomplishments they endured, focusing on the resilient human spirit.
Read stories together that inspire. Discuss how strength of character and perseverance can achieve a positive outcome without resorting to violence or force.
Encourage your child to keep a diary or journal, write poetry or songs. Writing provides a safe outlet for your child and creativity and self-expression are helpful tools used to work through negative issues.
If your child has difficulties making or maintaining friends, intervene - friendships are a protection against bullying. Identify children that might have things in common with your child and arrange a visit.
Encourage your child to join activities both in and out of school that will result in friendships while building strength and confidence.
But most important, don't diminish your child's concern over a classmate's taunting and teasing, it could very well lead to damaging repercussions. Instead, prepare your child for the bully by empowering him with confidence and self-esteem through your words, actions and embrace.
About The Author
Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON'S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy's magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children's rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com
http://www.joyfulproductions.com
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhen my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
Impulsivity is one of the hallmarks of people with Attention... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
Hope, excitement and anxiety all wrapped up in fresh haircuts... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
Quite simply, an absolute nightmare for parents and babies alike,... Read More
For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More
From the time the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Most research into children's friendships shows that those children who... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Every parent wants their child to develop positive character traits.... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
Did you know that the school system is only able... Read More
Parenting |