Antibullying – Turning Cautious Kids into Courageous Helpers
Bully prevention by playground kids takes bravery and positive thinking. This blog tells you how. You will find 3 discussion dilemmas and a gift of 10 positive slogans to help your child choose right over wrong. Your right-minded kid could become a playground hero.
Parents tell kids, “Don’t slump! Straighten up!” Sagging shoulders with head down look sad, weak and are targets for bullies.
Our body’s trunk, keeps our shoulders straight. A straight body with head up looks strong and confident. Practice standing with your child. Teach your youngster to keep trunk, head, and shoulders straight.
Your Child’s Mindset
You can teach your child to strengthen her mindset by teaching right from wrong. Mindsets include thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Kids who know the difference between right and wrong and choose what’s right have strong characters. Help your child think ahead and prepare to act. Problem dilemmas like these 3 bullying situations can do just that.
The Playground Bully
John is big and strong. He wants kids to know it. Joey is little. His posture looks wimpy.
- Is it OK for John to physically shove and punch Joey? Why?
- How would you feel if you were Joey?
- Should you and other kids stand by and let John bully Joey? Why?
- Would you do this or something else that helps the victim?
Determine if your child’s mindset is strong. Does he choose right over wrong? Unassertive kids might say, “I don’t know” or shrug their shoulders. Their parents have work to do.
Sarcastic Bully
Gina has a big mouth. She’s funny and sarcastic. Tammy is shy and quiet. Her shoulders slump.
- Is it OK for Gina to make fun of Tammy and put her down? Why?
- How would you feel if you were Tammy?
- Would you join the other kids and laugh at Tammy?
- What would you do?
- Is there a way to help Tammy? How?
Would You Get Help from a Teacher?
If your child is clueless, you need to work on her mindset.
The Tormenting Bully
Lucas is your friend. Lucas pesters girls by teasing, pulling hair, and tripping.
Lucas has a crush on Gail and wants her attention. Gail has long braids. Lucas yanks them. Gail shouts, “Stop it!” At other times, Lucas says, “You’re so stuck up.” Gail walks away. When Lucas tripped Gail and she fell, he laughed.
- How would you feel if you were Gail?
- What would you like to tell Lucas?
- Would you keep him for a friend?
- Would you help Gail? How?
Your child’s answers tell you a lot. Does he know the difference between right and wrong? Do you need to guide his mindset?
How to Teach Right and Wrong - 3 Keys
These three ways will help you coach your child:
- Ask him about his feelings regarding a troubling situation. Does he feel for the victim or the bully?
- Question his thinking about the bullying.
- Probe about his behaviors. Would he help the bully or the victim?
Empathic kids with right-minded thoughts will rescue victims.
Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are the three elements that create a weak or solid character. If your child chooses what is right, his/her mindset is solid.
If not, use friendly discussions by asking questions, listening well, and giving your opinion last. Don’t force your ideas, just express them. Otherwise, your child may rebel.
I invite you to use the above 3 discussion dilemmas.
Here are the 10 self-talk sayings to help your child deal with bully situations. You can also teach your child to make their own self-talk sayings.
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