With school now well underway, most children have settled into a new routine with new classmates, friends, teachers and some new challenges. But did you know that more than a million Canadian school-aged children are bullied at least once, each and every week? With this in mind, it’s important to think about bullying prevention, in the schoolyard and beyond.
Teachers, parents and youth professionals can help protect children against bullying at school, says Dr. Wendy Craig, an international leader in research on bullying, Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and Scientific Co-director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network). Below are some evidence-based bullying prevention tips provided by PREVNet, a network of Canadian researchers and national organizations working with children and youth:
Top 10 Bullying Facts and Prevention Tips
New Canadian Teacher’s Guide to Bullying
Teachers and parents across Canada can access a new guide called StandUp! Bullying Awareness Week Teacher’s Guide to help deal with bullying. The guide was created by PREVNet in partnership with the Family Channel, and is now available for download from the Family Channel’s website.
The guide helps teachers prepare for Bullying Awareness Week (November 12-18, 2012). It also features activities and role-playing scenarios for the classroom, as well as contests, resources and tip sheets for students, teachers and parents.
When it comes to developing our youth, remember that fostering positive, healthy relationships is the answer to bullying in schools, beyond the schoolyard and in future years.