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
cleaning help near Mundelein .."To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..We are all familiar with the stories that most students... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More
There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Peaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
Parenting |