What is Bullying?

Bullying is an act of aggression in the form of:

• hitting or punching (physical bullying);
• teasing or name-calling (verbal bullying);
• intimidation using gestures (nonverbal bullying);
• social exclusion (emotional bullying);
• sending insulting messages by phone or computer/social media (cyberbullying).

Bullying is mean behavior that is:

• Repeated (over and over)
• Intentional (on purpose)
• Has an imbalance of power
• Unfair and one-sided

What isn’t Bullying?

• Certain acts of exclusion that happen every now and again (not being invited to a party, not being included in a game at recess)
• Disliking someone- as long as the person is not verbally or physically aggressive about it, it is okay for one student to dislike another
• Accidental physical harm
• Being bossy- this is a tough one for many, but appropriate leadership is a developmental skill that many children won’t master until much later
• Arguments and conflicts (two-sided)

LCPS Bullying Prevention Program

Every LCPS student in grades K-5 will be taught the Bullying Prevention curriculum provided by Second Step.

Students are learning How to Help Stop Bullying by using the 3 R's: Recognize, Report, Refuse

As a parent, what can I do?

• Model positive behaviors
• Encourage your children to solve small problems on their own
• Use the RECOGNIZE, REPORT, REFUSE vocabulary
• Identify trusted adults at school and in the community
• Observe for warning signs (constant on and off again friendships, depressed and lonely, school refusal)
• Take reports of bullying behavior seriously
• Actively listen and ask questions to find out details
• Don’t minimize their feelings by saying it’s “just a phase” or “that’s just how girls are”, etc.
• Practice assertiveness and social skills through role-play
• Inform school staff

Resources (online):

https://www.secondstep.org

www.stopbullying.gov

www.bullyingresearch.se

www.stopbullyingnow.com

www.connectwithkids.com

Resources (children’s books):

The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman

Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig

Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig

My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Say Something by Peggy Moss

Resources (parenting books):

Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman

Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons

Little Girls Can Be Mean by Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert 

No Kidding About Bullying by Naomi Drew