The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression
Peaceful Schools Project/Menninger Clinic
The program focuses on the three social roles of the bully, victim, and the "bystanding audience." Rather than stigmatizing bullies, the project recognizes that students may take on the role of bully, victim, or bystander in different situations. The project is based on the belief that bullying is caused by an acceptance of violence in society and culture. Most schools either punish the bully and/or treat the victim. However, bystanders are often extremely influential in changing the culture of a school. Everyone in the school - administrators, teachers, parents, and kids - must make a commitment to change.
Peaceful Schools has three essential elements:
- A martial-arts-based program called "Gentle Warrior," which fulfills most physical education requirements in elementary schools. It uses a set of defensive skills, such as how to handle being pushed, pulled, and grabbed. It does not teach punching or kicking. It also teaches relaxation skills and helps kids identify emotions before acting them out in anger or frustration.
- An education campaign using posters, buttons, stickers, magnets, and classroom stories to spread a positive climate in the school.
- A classroom management plan that integrates school dynamics of bully-victim/bystander into the learning environment. Disruptive acts (i.e., spit balls directed to the back of the teacher) are discussed by the classroom as they happen, and students are engaged in finding solutions.
Contact Information
Dr. Stuart Twemlow
The Menninger Clinic
2801 Gessner
P.O. Box 809045
Houston, TX 77280
(713) 275-5436
E-mail: stwemlow@houston.menninger.edu
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Last Updated: 5/19/04
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