Bullying Prevention: How to Aid a Bullied Child

As we head into the last week of Bullying Prevention Month, I welcome Kids Car Donations to share a guest post and helpful infographic.

How to Aid a Bullied Child

Bullying is a persistent problem plaguing kids today. In fact, studies show at least one in five students are bullied at school or by their peers online. Creating a safer environment in which these kids are able to thrive both socially and academically isn’t simple. However, as adults, it’s up to teachers, administrators and parents to stay informed and recognize the signs of bullying. To help, here are a few common indicators to look for, as well as what you can do to aid a bullied child.

Bullying comes in many forms. It could be verbal abuse, physical violence, humiliating social experiences or a combination of these behaviors and others like them. Whatever the form or forms used, the child at the focus of the torment typically exhibits changes in behavior or emotional symptoms. These symptoms include anxiety, depression, a desire to avoid school, issues concentrating or even angry outbursts at home. There could also be physical indications, such as fluctuations in weight, unexplained injuries and self-harm. Of course, these are common examples that may or may not be present, since every child deals with these incidents in his or her own way.

What are ways teachers and school administrators might help? The first approach is simple: Be more attentive and knowledgeable about the students’ social inner workings. If bullying is observed, it’s essential to intervene immediately and make a record of the incident. That way, when higher-ups are informed, they have evidence to share with the investigation. Also, staff members should set clear, positive expectations regarding behavior. There ought to be policies and procedures in place to better protect kids, especially those who are most vulnerable.

As for parents, it’s important to stay connected to everything your kid is experiencing. Doing so includes monitoring social media messages, talking about day-to-day social interactions and taking other steps to stay involved. If threatening messages are being sent, it’s vital to report them to the school and the authorities. Furthermore, be sure to establish open communication early on in the little one’s academic journey. Talk about what bullying is, ways to de-escalate and how to find help. You could also practice scenarios to give your kid a better idea of how to handle these difficulties should they arise.

Please see the accompanying resource for additional ways to help a bullied child.

This infographic was created by Kids Car Donations, non profit car donations benefiting kids

Author bio: Kids Car Donations is a national organization that accepts vehicle donations to better the lives of children. The organization partners with a number of well-known nonprofits serving children and teens who are confronted with physical, mental and emotional challenges to provide the care they need.

Thank you to Kids Car Donations for sharing a helpful visual we can all use to support children and to assist parents in supporting them as well.

This month, the Savvy School Counselor blog posts have focused on teaching kids to be upstanders, supporting targets of bullying, and helping students with bullying behaviors. As we all know, the end of Bullying Prevention Month doesn’t mean we stop focusing on this vital topic. It’s important to make the discussion a common occurrence in your school counseling program and school-wide so all children know that bullying will not and should not be tolerated.

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