WATCH ABOVE: Global’s Mia Sosiak has some advice to help young kids stand-up against bullying as the new school year begins.
CALGARY — As we send our kids off to kindergarten this fall, it’s hard not to be anxious — what if they’re heading into a social war zone?
Last week, thousands of Calgary families entered the school system for the first time.
Statistics show those kindergarteners will see or experience bullying, at some point before they enter junior high.
“The type of bullying is, like, not letting people play,” said Diego Ochoa, who goes to elementary school in Calgary.
Experts say that’s usually how it starts, but bullying can happen as early as preschool.
Elaine McGee said it leaves parents like her wondering how to tell their children to respond.
“It’s hard,” said Elaine McGee, who moved recently from the UK to Calgary with her young family. “You don’t want to encourage them to fight with other children, but you want them to stand up for themselves.”
Parents can help give their little ones the confidence to stand-up to bullies, with the following tips.
1. Tell bullies to stop
“I think the first thing to tell our kids is, if somebody is saying or doing something they don’t like …tell them to stop,” said Kim Edwards, with Dare To Care.
2. Say “Please help me” to a caring adult at school
Edwards, a former teacher, delivers anti-bullying education in Calgary-area schools.
She said if bullies won’t stop what they’re doing, kids should ask a caring adult in the school to help.
“The language we give the students to use are three simple words: please help me,” Edwards said. “Those three words really get an adults attention and let them know it’s more than tattling.”
3. Get a group together
Edwards also encourages kids to stand up to bullies safely, in a group.
“We always say, get a group of friends, and tell the person to stop,” she said. “Or get a group of friends and say to the person who’s having a tough time, hey, come hang out with us today.”
4. Share your story to let them know you understand
The most important thing, Edwards said, is for parents to make bullying a safe subject for their kids to talk about with them.
“Everyone has a story – tell them your story,” she said. “Let them know that you get it.”
5. Listen to what they’re telling you
Don’t downplay what your kids are saying, she added.
“Honour what they’re telling you …If it’s getting to the point where they’re coming to you and telling you then it’s a BIG deal for them,” she said.
Calgary police officers are now working in most city elementary schools, including some charter programs. It’s part of an anti-bullying program called Start Smart, Stay Safe – or S4.
The program encourages positive behavior by showing kids how to respect their own and those of others.
“We nurture how we want them to grow and to develop, and we nurture their voice and we nurture all the good things in them, versus telling them don’t do this and don’t do that, that’s bad,” said Sgt. Susan Westenberger with Calgary Police. “If you tell them what you want to see from them, and you model that, kids will do it.”
RAW: Kim Edwards, Dare To Care, with anti-bullying suggestions
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