1. About.com
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. School-Age Children

Discuss in my forum

Bullying in Schools

How to recognize, prevent, and stop this all-too-common problem in school

By , About.com Guide

Whether it is verbal, physical, or done online, bullying is an unfortunate but very real problem that can happen in any school, even among young school-age children.

But by being educated about what bullying is, how to spot the signs of bullying, and learning what to do if your child is affected by this behvior, parents can be prepared to address bullying if it arises. Here's what you need to know about bullying in schools:

1. Understand the definition of bullying.

iStockphoto
Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional. It can be physical or verbal aggression that can take the form of insults, teasing, shoving, hitting, and other intimidating and hurtful behavior. It's important for parents to fully understand that bullying is not just "kids being kids" -- it is assault and aggression that should not be tolerated. Read more about the definition of bullying.

2. Learn how to spot the signs that your child may be a bullying victim.

iStockphoto

Children who are victims of bullying may be reluctant to tell anyone about what is going on. But parents can look for signs such as refusing to go to school, sudden drop in school performance, unexplained injuries, and more.

3. Learn how to prevent and stop bullying.

iStockphoto
Maintaining good communication with your child and keeping up with what's going on in her life is a key factor in spotting any signs of potential problems at school, including bullying. It's important that parents talk to their child about bullying, and review what she should do if she experiences bullying or sees it happen to another child. Read more about how to prevent and stop bullying.

4. Teach your child about the importance of empathy.

Getty Images

Nurturing emotional intelligence in kids is one of the most important things parents can do for a child. Empathy and emotional intelligence give children essential life skills for the future. And when children develop empathy, they are less likely to engage in bullying behavior

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved. 

A part of The New York Times Company.