EKKO KIDS

AGAINST BULLYING

TIPS TO TALKING
TO YOUR KIDS

Dear Parents,

THE FOUR- A RESPONSE

bullying. As part of our Sunday bible story time, the kids will

If your child is being bullied,

one of the best ways to help
protect your child is to talk
about it. Listen to your child,
help him/her understand what
is going on, and show that you
care and are willing to help.

Affirm & Stay Calm

In this next season, we will be going over the topic of

be learning about what bullying is, how to talk about it, and
what to do in response. We will be
going over an aspect of bullying
weekly and at the end of the unit, we
will be rewarding the children with an
official friendship badge. This
resource is designed to equip you
and to allow you as a family to discuss

Make sure your child knows

that you are listening. If you
feel angry or anxious, wait until
you feel calm before you talk
to him/her. This is your chance
to teach your child how to
solve problems and not get
over emotional.

this at home. We want you to be the

Ask questions

respectful behavior to all persons. We pray that this resource

Ask simple questions, then

listen. Ask things like, So what
happened next? and What
did you do then?

primary nurturers who create an environment that promotes

zero tolerance for bullying. As we begin the unit, lets start at
home by communicating with the children what it means to
respect others and their differences. Lets promote selfefficacy and develop their self-esteem by giving the children
appropriate praise. Lets model to the kids positive and
helps, inspires, and equips you to instill in your children the
biblical values and the heart of Jesuss inclusive lifestyle.

Assess Safety
Talk about why people bully. It
can help them understand new
perspectives and understand
others. If your child is the one
who bullies, it can help him/
her think of new ways to
respond. Someone might bully
because: they think its cool,
its not a big deal, some kids
deserve it, are frustrated or
unhappy, want to feel powerful
or in control, are looking for
attention, are jealous, or have
been bullied themselves.

Act
These comments do not help
sort of the issue. Be careful to
not say things like, Stand up
for yourself and dont bother
me with your complaints or
You poor thing, you can stay
home.

References

What is bullying?
When a child or group of children take advantage of the
power they have to hurt or reject someone else.
It can be direct or indirect.
It repeats over time
Physical: involves hurting a persons body or possessions, i.e.
hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, pushing, tripping, breaking
someones things on purpose.
Verbal: saying or writing mean things, i.e. teasing, name-calling,
taunting, threatening to cause harm.
Emotional/Social: involves hurting someones reputation or
relationships, i.e. leaving someone out on purpose, telling other
children not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors,
embarrassing someone in public.

Normal Conflict
Happens occasionally

Happens repeatedly

Accidental

Done on purpose

Not serious

Serious-threat of physical harm or

emotional or psychological hurt

Equal emotional reaction

Strong emotional reaction on part

of victim

Not seeking power or attention

Seeking power or control

Not trying to get something

Trying to gain material or things

Remorsefultakes responsibility

No remorse- blames victim

Effort to solve the problem

No effort to solve the problem

http://

www.stopbullying.gov/
index.html
http://

www.pacerkidsagainstbullyi
ng.org/kab/

Bullying

Differences between
Helpful Skills for Children to Learn
Empathy: understanding what someone else is feeling. Allows
kids to treat each other with respect and kindness.
Emotional Regulation: monitor and regulate strong emotions,
calm down when upset. 50% of the children who are bullied make
it worse by responding with high emotional reactions.
Social Problem Solving: navigate social problems and challenges.

REVIEW OF
BADGES EARNED
Kindness

Recognize problem, reflect on possible solutions, and understand

consequences to particular actions.
Friendship Skills: sharing, playing fairly, taking turns, following
rules.
Assertiveness Skills: knowing difference from aggressive, passive
and assertive responses .
- Say what you see, say what you feel, say what you want, walk
away
If you suspect your child is being bullied

Obedience

Look for signs:

- Keep an eye out for reluctance to go to school/church
- Silence about what is happening at school
- Frequently lost objects or possessions
- Low self-esteem
Ask open-ended questions e.g. What kind of things did you do
at recess today? or What happened at lunchtime today?

Prayer

Share your experiences and how you felt

Respect your childs wishes and help him or her feel empowered
Try role-playing: practice non-aggressive ways to handle it or
brainstorm humorous or witty comebacks
- When you do/say
- It makes me feel
- I want you to

Bravery

If you suspect your child is the bully

Be a good role model
Be aware of your own aggressive behavior
Reevaluate disciple techniques, do not discipline in the heat of
anger
Identify the triggers: know what pushes your childs buttons and
when he/she is most likely to become aggressive, then role play to
suggest other ways to respond

RESOURCES FOR PREVENTION

Websites & Apps
Common Sense Media
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
StopBullying.gov
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
Bullying Prevention at Home
http://bullying.rfkcenter.org/homes/bullying prevention-at-home/
Sesame Street
http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/topics/bullying
PBS Learning Media (free video lessons)
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
Teaching Tolerance
http://bullying.rfkcenter.org/homes/bullying prevention-at-home/
Kids Against Bullying
http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/kab/
Professor Garfield Cyberbullying - Free iTunes App to learn about cyberbullying
Know Bullying - Free iTunes App to discuss bullying

Books
Bullying
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (5 yrs old and up)
Stop Picking on Me by Pat Thomas (Pre-K - 3)
The Berenstain Bears and the Bully by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Pre-K - 1)
Dont Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin & Allen Shamblin (Pre-K - 2)
The Hurt by Teddi Doleski (2 - 4)
Friendship
How to Be a Friend by Brown, Laurie & Marc (K - 4)
How to Lose All Your Friends by Nancy Carlson (Pre- K 1)
Making Friends by Fred Rogers (Pre-K 1)
My Friends and Me by Pat Thomas (Pre-K - 3)
May I Bring A Friend? by Beatrice Schenk de Regneirs (Pre-K - 2)
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (K - 2)