Parent-Child Classroom Activities That Decrease Bullying

Bullying is on the rise, but parent involvement can put a stop to it.

The percentage of middle and high school students being bullied is on the rise, up 18 percent in 2009 according to the Family Circle article "Too Cruel for School: The Rise of Bullying." As bullying increases due to the growth and popularity of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, parents are left wondering how to address the problem. If you are concerned your child is being bullied or becoming a bully, your participation in their classroom activities and school policies can put a stop to this issue.

Classroom Interventions

According to the California Department of Education, one way the entire school community can stop bullying is to have a schoolwide anti-bullying policy. This would include assemblies, increased supervision and additional teacher training. Parents can participate by volunteering to support these initiatives, and also by taking place in classroom interventions with their children. These interventions lay down the rules and policies for students and parents alike regarding bullying at school.

Parent Volunteers

According to Scholastic.com, research has shown that children benefit academically and emotionally when their parents volunteer in the classroom. Volunteering gives you a way to show support for your child if he or she is being bullied, monitor the situation at school, and help the teacher develop positive activities and projects.

Classroom Activities

The California Department of Education also recommends classroom activities that encourage self esteem to stop bullying. These might be exercises that showcase each individual student's talents, interests and skills, or that require students to write down one compliment for each of their classmates. As a parent volunteer, you can suggest these kinds of activities to your child's teacher and help facilitate them in the classroom.

Other Scholastic Activities

In "Too Cruel For School: The Rise of Bullying," author Peg Tyre draws from research that suggests decreased social time can lead to bullying. This research states that today's children are enrolled in so many school activities, including after-school sports programs and music lessons, that they do not have time to interact freely with their peers. As a parent, you can make a point to schedule more free time for your child to play with other children.

References

• Psychology Today; Calling All Parents: Stop Bullying, Start Teaching; Nancy S. Buck; March 10, 2011
• Psychology Today; How Schools Can Stop Bullying; Ugo Uche; November 16, 2010
• Stopy Bullying.Gov: Working With the School and the Community
• Family Circle; Too Cruel for School: The Rise of Bullying; Peg Tyre
• California Department of Education: Bullying Frequently Asked Questions
• Scholastic: Volunteering in the Classroom

Resources

• Kids Health: Helping Kids Deal With Bullies
• Kids Self Esteem Exercises