Bullying
A student who bullies may...
- have low self-esteem
- target other students
- lack friends
- rather push people away first than be rejected
- become physically aggressive
- make verbal comments or threats to elevate their perceived status
- lack social skills
- struggle with peer relationships
When supporting a student who is bullying, some general strategies involve
- Don't confuse bullying with conflict.
- Teach the definition of bullying.
- Do not use group treatment or responses for bullying.
- Have open and direct conversations for general topics--do not discuss specifics publicly. Hold those conversations privately with the students involved.
- Establish safe environments for both parties involved.
- Teach Upstander and response strategies.
Interventions may include
- Drop by unexpectedly to observe students at unstructured times.
- Involve other staff on the campus--one person cannot see all of the events in a day.
- Reinforce the "bully" student for pro-social behaviors.
- Take the "bully" to observe other student interactions to model and observe/discuss behaviors.
- Use progressive consequences.
- Provide specific social skills training.
- Facilitate and monitor social interactions for students to experience success
Literature Links
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill
The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson
Bully by Patricia Polacco
Anger Tree by John Cary
Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean by Jane Lynch
Stop Picking On Me by Pat Thomas
Nobody Knew What To Do by Becky Ray McCain
Bullying Hurts Everyone (Raz Kids Level V)
Teacher Reading
Bullying Solutions: Universal and Individual Strategies
The Tough Kid Bully Blockers Series