We hope that you are not experiencing bullying, or your children. Unfortunately, it is something that exists as there will always be some children who suffer at home, and those that lack empathy. Many organisations have a Code of Conduct to abide by, and even though the topic of bullying has a higher profile than it ever has, there are still going to be people who do it. So it doesn't matter whether you are a child or an adult, you can experience teasing or bullying at different times in your life. Teasing and bullying are two different things. It is important to know the difference.
According to the Cambridge Dictionaries Online, teasing is to laugh at someone or say unkind things about them, either because you are joking or because you want to upset that person.
To bully is to hurt or frighten someone who is smaller or less powerful than you, often forcing that person to do something they do not want to do.
Bullying can continue over time. Please know that you are not alone and there are people and organisations that can help. This newsletter provides some links to websites that have further information and resources that may be helpful.
The National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) defines bullying and offers advice for parents, schools and kids. It also has different resources available for download and to print off.
In the following video, Dr Laugeson, a clinical psychologist, teaches the best way to deal with teasing. Even though it is aimed at teens, the strategies can be used for primary students too.
Elizabeth Laugeson, PsyD, shares advice for parents on the best and most effective ways to teach your child how to deal with bullying and teasing
CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BULLY
After Katie gets caught teasing a schoolmate, she's told to meet with Mrs Petrowski. the school counsellor, so she can make right her wrong and learn to be a better friend. Bothered at first, it doesn't take long before Katie realises that bullying has hurt not only the people around her, but her, too. Told from the unusual point of view of the bullier rather than the bullied, Confessions of a Former Bully provides kids with real life tools they can use to identify and stop relational aggression.
RRP $12.99.
THE POWER OF THE BYSTANDER
Bystanders can make a huge difference to the victim of bullying. They can stop it in it's place. Many children don't realise what power they have to stop bullying. They may just not know what to do. Some join in at the expense of the victim. This video shows what the Europeans are doing to combat this problem.
Bullying in schools is a worldwide problem, with negative and sometimes fatal consequences. Something must be done about it . Children have the right to learn in a safe environment. The Council of Europe's film 'Beat Bullying' shows how whole-school human rights and citizenship education programmes equip students and pupils with the understanding, skills and confidence they need to help stop bullying and violence at school, including cyberbullying.
Kids learning through kids
Have you heard of Sian Williams? 8 year old Sian lives in Perth and is the recipient of the 2014 Human Rights Hero Award in Brussels (Belgium), and has also been awarded the Young Leader Award in the 2014 Pride of Australia Awards. She is also the founder of Kidzucate, a non-profit organisation and charity whose vision is to create a happier world for our children and youth.
The goal of Kidzucate is to declare that we want to live in a community that treats everyone with respect. Part of taking a stand with Kidzucate is learning to be an "Advocate".
When you stand up for someone else you are being an "Advocate". Being an advocate is:
* Being a friend
* Being a good leader
* Helping your school and community to be a place where people are treated with respect and kindness.
Sian believes that "kids learn better through kids". If you would like training to be an advocate, or to find out more information about their child safety programs which include a bullying prevention program, please contact Kidzucate directly at the link below.
JOY HOUSE PRODUCTIONS
Joy House Productions, based in NSW have produced the following music video featuring different puppets, including "Lin Wong" as part of their anti-racism and anti-bullying initiative.
"On the 20th June we launched the "Don't be a Loser" campaign at Darlington Public School. This is an innovative anti-racism and anti-bullying initiative aimed at school age children. The kids were super excited to see The Wong Side of Puppets set up and then to see them in action on the big screen. They had their mouths open in awe.
Together we discussed the meaning of racism and bullying and made popsicle puppets to do some role playing. In the music video Lin Wong showed that she was very sad and upset but in our plays we made Lin not act like a victim but instead be strong and brave. We also did role playing about what to do if we saw a friend being a victim of racism or bullying."
