Following the death of 12-year Sylvester Oromoni, student of Dowen College from injuries sustained in school after he was beaten up by his Seniors, it is important parents or school management learn of ways to prevent bullying in schools.
School bullying can have serious consequences. Bullying negatively affects the social environment at schools and creates an atmosphere of fear among students.
Targeted children often suffer from poor performance in school, sleep issues, anxiety, and depression.
The sooner children are taught about bullying and its effect, the better.
Here are the 5 ways to prevent bullying in schools:
*Keep the Communication line open: Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
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*Boost your child’s confidence: A child who is encouraged and nurtured is likely to have more self-esteem and confidence. This can reduce the likelihood of them being bullied.
Children who take part in activities they love can also have more confidence. Their success in their chosen hobby will give them a sense of achievement. The expertise they gain will make them feel proud of themselves and help them connect with other children.
*Set clear and enforceable rules and expectations: Age-appropriate rules allow a student to know what behavior is expected. When kids are younger, keep rules simple.
When kids are older, shape the rules to help them meet their maturity level. They can help the teacher have a well-managed classroom that is less prone to bullying behaviors
*Be knowledgeable and observant: Teachers and administrators need to be aware that although bullying generally happens in areas such as the bathroom, playground, crowded hallways, and school buses as well as via cell phones and computers (where supervision is limited or absent), it must be taken seriously.
If a teacher observes bullying in a classroom, he/she needs to immediately intervene to stop it, record the incident and inform the appropriate school administrators so the incident can be investigated.
*Empower Your Kids: One of the most helpful things you can do is provide your kids with tools for dealing with bullying. Walking away, telling an adult, or telling the bully in a firm voice to stop, are all strategies that you can practice with your child.
It’s also important to teach kids how and when to report bullying when they witness it, and help them understand why they do not want to be a bystander.