Prevention Of Bullying In Schools

*Prevention at School*

Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying.

Training school staff and students to prevent and address bullying can help sustain bullying prevention efforts over time. There are no federal mandates for bullying curricula or staff training. The following are some examples of options schools can consider.

Activities to Teach Students About Bullying

 Schools can incorporate the topic of bullying prevention in lessons and activities. Examples of activities to teach about bullying include:

*Internet or library research, such as looking up types of bullying, how to prevent it, and how kids should respond.*

*Presentations, such as a speech or role-play on stopping bullying*

*Discussions about topics like reporting bullying, Creative writing, such as a poem speaking out against bullying or a story or skit teaching bystanders how to help, Artistic works, such as a collage about respect or the effects of bullying*

*Staff Training on Bullying Prevention*

To ensure that bullying prevention efforts are successful, all school staff need to be trained on what bullying is, what the school’s policies and rules are, and how to enforce the rules. Training may take many forms: staff meetings, one-day training sessions, and teaching through modeling preferred behavior. Schools may choose any combination of these training options based on available funding, staff resources, and time.

*What Kids Can Do*

Are you being bullied? Do you see bullying at your school? There are things you can do to keep yourself and the kids you know safe from bullying.

*Treat Everyone with Respect*

Nobody should be mean to others.

Stop and think before you say or do something that could hurt someone. If you feel like being mean to someone, find something else to do. Play a game, watch TV, or talk to a friend. Talk to an adult you trust. They can help you find ways to be nicer to others. Keep in mind that everyone is different. Not better or worse. Just different.  If you think you have bullied someone in the past, apologize. Everyone feels better.

*What to Do If You’re Bullied*

There are things you can do if you are being bullied:

Look at the kid bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. You can also try to laugh it off. This works best if joking is easy for you. It could catch the kid bullying you off guard. If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.

Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t keep your feelings inside. Telling someone can help you feel less alone. They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying. Stay away from places where bullying happens. Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.