KidCo. Productions has partnered with AllMomDoes and CRISTA Media to sponsor this post and bring you this information.
As your family is heading back to school this fall, you are busy preparing your students for all that is ahead. You are shopping for cold-weather clothing, fresh pencils and paper, going back to routines that support the school schedule and making sure they are ready for the new school year.
You are probably busy calming fears of what it will be like to have a new teacher, be at a new school, or meet new classmates. One thought that might not cross your mind in the midst of the back-to-school shuffle is the importance of preparing your student for how to respond if they encounter bullying behavior at school.
Each year 160,000 students stay home because they have been a target of bullying. Research says that 1 in 5 students experience bullying. While these numbers may feel overwhelming, there are some practical things you as a parent can do to prepare your student for what they may encounter and empower your student to be a part of preventing bullying at their school.
UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITION OF BULLYING: According to the Washington State Health Education Learning Standards, bullying is defined as negative actions that are intentional, repeated, negative, show a lack of empathy and indicate a power imbalance. Go over this definition with your student, unpack the meaning of it together and discuss why bullying should be prevented.
REMIND YOUR CHILD OF THEIR INHERENT VALUE: As part of KidCo. Productions, we teach the message “I’m Now” to students. We want all students to believe that they are not just future people, they are valuable right now just as they are. They have worth and the ability to impact the world right now. According to psychologists, children’s view of their self-worth is profoundly shaped by parents as parents are the main social group for the early stages of life. Encouraging your student to understand their inherent value and the value of others will enable them to have confidence to take a stand against any bullying behavior they might encounter.
KidCo. Productions is a free program that is offered to schools in Pierce County made possible by those in the community who see the need for this message to be spread to all students. If you are interested in investing in the safety and well-being of students, please check out http://kidcoproductions.com/contact.html.
Want more information about KidCo. Productions and our message of character building and bully prevention? Check out our website at www.kidcoproductions.com.
Come see the work of KidCo. Productions for yourself at one of the Super Saturday Platdates at South Hill Mall! They will be held from 11 am – 1 pm on September 24 and October 29, and will include fun free activities for the kids, giveaways, and information on bully prevention. Learn more about the event here!
