National Stop Bullying Day
Social education is an ongoing part of your child’s growth at schools in Orlando, but October 10th is a great opportunity to pay some extra attention to bullying. Teaching children how to stand up for both themselves and others will benefit them throughout their entire lives.Benefits of Assertive BehaviorAssertive behavior is a skill that can be taught, no matter how shy your child is. As your child becomes more assertive, she learns to communicate effectively in a variety of ways:
- Identify her feelings
- Feel in control of a situation and her emotions
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Enjoy strong relationships
- Negotiate with others
- Disagree in a respectful manner
- Respond appropriately to bullying
Lead by ExampleYour child is always watching you, so maintain appropriate boundaries with friends and family and always clearly communicate your feelings. It’s especially important to identify negative feelings since these are often difficult for children to talk about.Let Your Child TryGuide your child through social interactions. Avoid the urge to swoop in and fix situations — instead, teach her how to do so. If she wants to play with someone at the playground but doesn’t know anyone, encourage her to introduce herself to someone new. If she notices a fellow classmate getting made fun of, remind her that she can help make things better by talking to her teacher or another school official she trusts.Standing Up for OthersA child who can stand up for herself can stand up for others as well. Explore Bible stories together that involve Jesus welcoming tax collectors, the poor, the sick, and the sinful. No one wanted Jesus to include these people, but He loved them anyways, and we need to do the same.What if That Was Me?If you notice a child playing by himself, ask your child how she would feel if she were in that position. Ask her what she could do to help him feel welcome. This helps her to develop empathy and compassion.Boosting Children’s Emotional IntelligenceBy getting in tune with her own feelings, your child can better identify the emotions of those around her. Pay attention to her body language and help her identify feelings. “I see you just threw a block; you must be feeling angry.” “I see your tears, are you feeling sad?” Help her learn to verbalize all of her emotions, from joy to confusion to disappointment.An emotionally aware child can speak up for herself and support those around her. Talk to your child about National Stop Bullying Day, and help her think about what Jesus would do.Our blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about schools in Orlando, contact us at 407-246-4800.