Bullying comes in different forms: verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying.
No matter the form it comes from, the impact of taunting and bullying is always detrimental to the victim. It can range from depression to suicide. Hence, bullying must be attended to with maximum priority and concern.
In every school, you will find a group of students who want to prey on the weaker ones and force their power on other kids, hence the need to empower kids on preventing, handling and, dealing with bullies.
To prevent, reduce and stop bullies, all hands must be on deck. The parents, teachers, and students all have roles to play. Since the place where bullying happens more is the school, we will focus our attention there.
WAYS OF PREVENTING BULLYING AT SCHOOL INCLUDE:
1) ESTABLISHING AN ATMOSPHERE OF POSITIVITY.
The school can either be a thriving ground for bullies or a place of love and acceptance. The teachers, adults, and workers in the environment, must work hand in hand to ensure that love and oneness are maintained in the school environment.
Another way to promote this is by creating a reward system for positive behaviours, such that positive behaviours will be the goal many will aspire to get.
2) KINDNESS, EMPATHY, AND OTHER NECESSARY VIRTUES SHOULD BE IMPARTED IN STUDENTS.
The teachers also need to consciously invest time in teaching and inculcating the habit of kindness and empathy in the kids.
Students must learn how to empathize, (put themselves in other people’s shoes and know how it feels to be them), how to forgive when offended, how to show kindness so that they grow up with the mindset that life is not all about them.
3) TEACHERS NEED TO BE ATTENTIVE TO THE BEHAVIOUR OF STUDENTS
There are always symptoms that can show the possibility of being bullied.
A sudden change in a students’ mood and attitude in class, scoring far lesser than ordinary, are all indicators of negative change and the possibility of being victimized at school. Parents and teachers need to pay attention to their kids and students. And deal with the problem before it gets out of hand.
4) CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTION
Activities that help create bonds and help students socialize and resolve their differences should be encouraged. It also brings the students together as one and, helps them set aside their differences.
It also fosters the spirit of unity, oneness, and love among the kids.
5) BUILD SELF CONFIDENCE
Some bullies may not change from their nature by being in a positive environment. In such situations, you must build your confidence as a student, know your worth and stand by it. Refuse to be bullied verbally or physically. Prepare yourself emotionally to handle anything that is hurled at you without caving in or displaying weakness, maintain your self-confidence.
6) REPORT ANY PERSISTENT BULLY
After trying on your own to deal with bullies and it seems to be getting nowhere, you must not die in silence, open up to your teachers and parents, that they may help in handling the matter. You may not be the only kid suffering from their abuse.
7) ESTABLISHING ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES.
The school must have an establishment that focuses on anti-bullying. Reports of bullies are to be taken seriously and verified for proper disciplinary actions. Bullies should be punished publicly to show that such actions are intolerable and unacceptable in the school.
Have you been bullied before? What way is the most effective in preventing bullying?
Kindly leave a comment.
