Bullying has always been a big problem in schools, but as
society slowly progresses, people are being more honest and open with
themselves, but some kids are having trouble keeping up. Tolerance is still a
relatively new concept, and there are still a lot people who have problems with
it. Young kids are being encouraged to be open about who they are, and then
suffering the consequences of judgmental and low tolerance in schools. The best
way to prevent bullying in schools is to teach kids about the consequences of
bullying.
Teaching Kids about Bullying
Many kids don’t realize the extent of the damage they do when they bully other
children. One New York teacher had a great idea for demonstrating the effect
bullying has on other children. She gave each of her students a piece of paper,
and had them crumple it up, stomp on it, and mash on it without ripping it. She
then asked her students to smooth out the piece of paper, and to notice that no
matter how much they smoothed it over, there were still scars. This ingenious
teacher used this demonstration to show the long lasting effects bullying had
on someone’s life. Those scars won’t ever fade, no matter how much you smooth
them over.
Ways to Get the Message Across
Kids tend to have short attention spans, meaning it may be difficult to talk
with them about bullying. Consider using methods of communication that are
better received by school age kids, such as music or movies. There are several
documentaries out there that show the impact bullying has on people’s lives.
Finding a good way to express the damage bullying causes and making certain the
kid understands this is very important. Watching a movie about bullying will
most likely create a situation where the child can relate to the people being
depicted in the movie, and will better present an opportunity for the child to
understand exactly how much damage bullying can cause.
Reading to Your Kids about Bullying
Taking the time out of your day to read to your kids about bullying can be very
beneficial. There are tons of books, both fiction and non-fiction, with good
information about bullying. Depending on the age of your child, you may
recommend a book to your child’s teacher, for them to read to the class, or you
can give books to your child to read. Reading a book is a wonderful way for
your child to develop a relationship with a fictional character who was
bullied. Finding quality fiction books about bullying should be pretty
easy. Ask your child’s teacher or look online for recommended fiction books
about bullying.
Bullying is a serious problem, and needs to be dealt with appropriately.
Children tend bully other kids without thinking about the consequences of their
actions. There can be horrible and even deadly consequences to bullying. A
person who is bullied can suffer from low self esteem, depression, and even
suicidal thoughts for years after the bullying stops. Children that are bullied
are easily impressionable and can believe the things people say about them for
the rest of their lives. By taking steps like the one’s recommended above, and
staying informed about the consequences of bullying, not only can we make an
impact on bullying in school, but also promote tolerance and acceptance. And
remember, today’s children are tomorrows voters and leaders, and promoting
tolerance will ensure a better future for us all.
