How YOU can Help Prevent Bullying

October is bullying prevention month. This is a great time to evaluate how we, ourselves, treat others and how we can help prevent bullying. Bullying affects children in so many negative ways. One of them being their ability to learn at a progressive pace. “According to the Center for Disease Control, students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation, perform poorly in school, have few friends in school, have a negative view of school, experience physical symptoms, and experience mental health issues.” We all have a role in the bullying crisis. Let’s explore where we stand and how we each can help.

TEACHERS

As teachers, we want to see all of our students thrive. This is why it’s so important to give each one of your students special attention. Some may even need a bigger push than others, depending on their mental state. That is why it is vital for you, as an educator and moderator of the classroom, to be able to identify when a child is being bullied. Is the student being isolated during free time? Do they seem scared, out of focus or uninterested in learning? Are their grades facing an unusual decline? These are all signs that point to bullying. Read more about how to identify bullies and victims of bullying in your classroom. Try incorporating bullying awareness into your daily lessons. Here are some great bullying prevention lesson plans for all ages.

PARENTS

As parents, bullying can be a very sensitive matter to deal with. However, it is our duty to identify if our child is showing warning signs. In this day and age, there are so many forms of bullying out there. Along with the more common verbal bullying and physical bullying there is now cyberbullying. Although it seems like a silly concept to be bullied through social and internet platforms, cyberbully can completely tear a child down. With social media power, it’s so easy for bullies to spread false rumors, targeted comments and “troll” other children online. Try your best to identify if your child is being consumed by social media and analyze how it’s affecting their mental health. It’s important to have healthy talks at home and create a peaceful environment. One where your child feels comfortable opening up about the little things that bother them. Try to be as understanding as you can and empathize with their struggles, no matter how “small” they may seem to you. Here is a wonderful journaling activity to share with your children to help them identify their own feelings a bit better and encourage positive self talk.

STUDENTS

Statistics have shown that fellow students have the strongest and most unique power when it comes to bullying prevention. If students observe that one student is being singled out and picked on, it is so important for them to speak up immediately. “The group of kids who witness bullying is really important. This group may not be getting bullied, they may not be bullying, but their reaction can make a big difference.” A lot of children are afraid of “tattling.” However, there’s a big difference between tattling and speaking up. It’s so important to tell a parent, teacher, counselor, coach or any adult you trust what is going on. Watch this video to better understand how students can be there for their fellow peers.

Back to School Tips for Teachers

Build Structure

With all the craziness of the classroom, it can be easy to get caught up spending too much energy on one task or routine, alone. This is why it's so important to organize your thoughts, rules and expectations before you get to class. Students can sense disorganization and will take advantage where they can. Build structure and create a solid routine to make it easier on everyone. Establish your classroom rules and stick by them. Try getting your rules printed and post them on the wall as a gentle reminder. Be sure to inform your students on the consequences of breaking these class rules as well. Create an efficient routine for attendance, lunchtime, walking in the hallway, break time, and more. It may seem silly at first but you'll quickly realize how important it is. Every classroom is different so you'll be able to get better idea once you get to learn your students more and understand what works best for them.

Fun Icebreakers

The first couple months be anxiety ridden for several students. Try easing into the flow of things with a friendly classroom ice breaker. Getting the students acquainted with you, as well as other students, will jumpstart the setting of a positive learning environment. Here are some engaging icebreakers that will certainly be memorable . For a younger class, you may want to try getting the ball rolling with some movement. Here are some fun icebreakers to get the students up and active.

Have Printables & Worksheets Ready

Prep your worksheets and printables ahead of time. These are great for days when you need a little bit of inspiration. Printables are a great way to introduce fun characters, stories or new methods to your students. Since every child's learning style is different, this will help you identify your students' style. Here's a great resource to snag printables from for K-8th grade classrooms.

Prep the Classroom Environment

Set yourself and your students up for success with a well organized and memorable classroom environment. A classroom theme or fun decorations can help spruce up the environment and get your students excited about learning. Here are some creative ways to jazz up your classroom this year. Laminate your class rules and other important posters around the classroom to give everything a clean and polished look. Another important step in classroom prep is your seating arrangement! Be sure to find the perfect placement for your desk, so that you're able to properly oversee the students.

Focus on Self-Care

Throughout the school day, remember to focus on your own self-care. Breathe when you find yourself in an overwhelming situation in the classroom. Remind yourself that you are worthy and continue conquer the day. Be sure to unwind and take breaks when needed. The light you create within yourself will surely reflect onto your students. Shine bright and spark a passion for learning!

Acknowledging Ms. Tara Aldrich & EOC

We are honored to have our very own CEO, Ms. Tara Aldrich, featured in The Philadelphia Tribune. Tara speaks on the challenges that our staffing agency faces during the time of the pandemic and how Educators On Call has persevered through it all. She also shares a bit of her own story.

With the various roadblocks that COVID-19 has created, Ms. Aldrich expands on the struggles that families must face in this time. It is a stressful and overwhelming period for everybody, but especially for our youth. Parents must also face the daily challenges that the pandemic presents, as they most often have to step in as the "teacher" as well as caretakers. Click the button below to read more!