(Wyoming) – We’re halfway through the month of September, which means children are settling in to the school routine, learning new skills, and making new friends.
A new school year can also be a challenging time for some children who experience bullying. We looked into a bit more about bullying learn more about bullying and how we, as a community, can help prevent bullying before it starts!
What is Bullying?
Wyoming School District #6 defined bullying as: Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is any intentional gesture, or any intentional written, verbal or physical act that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:
- Harming a student physically or emotionally, damaging a student’s property or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage.
- Insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with the orderly operation of school.
- Is so sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or group of students.
The term ‘bullying’ is sometimes misused. Kids can be mean at times, but unless their behavior is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive, it is incorrect to label the behavior as bullying. While being mean to each other is a serious issue, bullying is a much more serious issue with more severe consequences.
Tips for parents, teachers and children about how to respond to bullying:
- The biggest thing children can do in response to bullying is to not be a bystander. Standing up for each other is the most effective way to combat bullying.
- If kids stand up for themselves with something as simple as ‘Hey, I don’t like that! Stop it!’ is a fantastic way to hold a bully accountable for their behavior.
- Teaching kids how to project confidence (head up, eye contact, speak loudly and clearly) is a fantastic way to avoid becoming a target.”
Parents and teachers, click here to learn more information about bullying and how to teach your children, and students, smart ways to prevent bullying before it starts.