Bullying and Children: Strategies to Explain and Overcome with Empathy

A snigger as you pass, a veiled insult, a direct tease or even a violent act… Bullying can take many forms and its prevalence, especially in school, makes it a subtle and complex problem. Many children experience situations of distress caused by acts of dominance or exclusion. School bullying can have deep consequences on emotional well-being and development.

It is essential to talk about it with children in a gentle and constructive way to help them understand and face the problem. Explaining bullying to children raises awareness and fosters empathy and respect.

How to Explain Bullying to Children

Explaining bullying requires a simple, accessible approach. Practical suggestions:

• Use concrete examples: describe everyday situations children can easily understand, such as incidents at school or home. For instance, explain how leaving someone out of a game can hurt them.

• Encourage dialogue: involve children in an open conversation to express their thoughts and feelings. Ask questions like: “Have you ever seen someone treated badly? How did that make you feel?”

• Empower the child: make them feel heard and supported, encouraging them to share experiences or worries. Show interest in their perspective and offer practical advice for handling difficult situations.

Activities to Raise Awareness About Bullying

Creative and experiential activities are powerful tools to teach children about empathy and respect:

• Role-playing games: simulate bullying situations with children, alternating roles of victim, bully, and observer.

• Drawing or story writing: ask children to express their emotions through drawings or stories.

• Shared reading: reading books about bullying together is an effective way to start conversations and teach important values.

The Role of Reading in Combating Bullying

Books are essential educational tools to help children understand and manage challenging situations. For example, The Song of the Hermit Thrush, an illustrated book, addresses bullying with sensitivity, highlighting the importance of friendship and respect.

The Song of the Hermit Thrush: An Educational Read for All

The Song of the Hermit Thrush is an illustrated book that deals with bullying in a sensitive and original way. The story follows Thomas, a child constantly teased by a classmate, Jules, who behaves like a predator. Thomas tries everything to stop Jules, but only when all his classmates intervene to defend him does he free himself from the bully.

The book is a powerful tool for addressing bullying with children, showing how important it is to not ignore bullying incidents.

• For parents: reading the book with your children can become a special moment to stimulate dialogue and teach them to recognise and respond to bullying situations.

• For teachers: reading it in class is an excellent opportunity to start a discussion or run a creative activity, such as writing stories or making drawings inspired by the tale.

How Parents and Teachers Can Make a Difference

Parents and teachers play a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for children. Strategies:

• At home: talk openly with your children, listen to their concerns, and teach them to respect others.

• At school: collaborate with teachers to monitor class dynamics and encourage activities that promote inclusion and mutual respect.

Collaboration between home and school is essential to tackle bullying effectively, providing children with the tools to recognise and counter it.

Talking about bullying with children is an important step toward building a more empathetic and respectful society. Using educational tools such as books and creative activities, we can help them understand and face this phenomenon.

Learn more about The Song of the Hermit Thrush and how to use it to educate children against bullying.

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