The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression
Module 6: Prevention and Intervention - Page 9 of 16
What Can Parents Do?
Parents are an essential element in the school's effort to create a safe and orderly learning environment.
Parents can do the following:ref, ref, ref
- Set standards of behavior, limits, and clear expectations for their child, in and out of school.
- Provide a secure attachment for their child.
- Be as positive as possible with the child. The goal for parents is to provide five positive comments for every negative one directed at a child.ref
- Monitor their own behavior and aggression. Demonstrate behavior at home between adults that is not bullying or aggressive. Children copy parents' behaviors--good or bad.ref
- Provide appropriate models of conflict resolution.
- Model empathetic behavior.
- Offer suggestions/advice for dealing with problematic peers.
- Encourage children who are bystanders to bullying to act appropriately.
- Be concerned and responsive regardless of whether their child is the reported bully or the victim. Offer support, but do not encourage dependence.ref
- Become involved in their child's school life by reviewing homework, meeting teachers, reading with their child, and attending school functions.
- Build a network of other adults, parents, and students to discuss school safety and other issues.
- Give children the social skills they need to navigate through their own school experience.
- Teach children to have respect for differences.
- Explain the difference between an assertive and an aggressive response.
- Be an advocate for bullying prevention in brownie and scout groups, athletic programs, and other youth activities.
- Share stories about their own childhood experiences with bullying.
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