It’s often difficult for teachers and schools to know how to take a stand and reduce bullying, according to the Crisis Prevention Institute. Here are 10 tips to reduce bullying to ensure students thrive in a safe, caring environment:
1) Clearly define bullying
Bullying can occur on a random or regular basis, whether daily, weekly, or monthly. One in 10 students who are bullied experience it daily, while one in five are bullied once or twice a month, according to research. Only 20% of bullying incidents get reported.
All grade levels can experience bullying, making it important for an entire school district to use the same language and definitions within its schools.
The Crisis Prevention Institute defines bullying as intentionally aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, nonverbal, or relational. Bullying is different than teasing. Teasing is often reported by students more frequently than bullying since it is done to irritate or provoke. Bullying, on the other hand, can take the form of threats, teasing, name calling, pushing, hitting and cyberbullying.
Bullying also includes incidents such as gossiping and purposeful exclusion from events. This relational bullying can leave hidden wounds that are often harder for teachers to notice. And with the rise of cellphone usage in school, relational cyberbullying has become an even bigger challenge. Approximately 15% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 have reported being bullied via text or via social media platforms.
Schools should ensure that bullying prevention efforts are stressed when it comes to cyberbullying. And by having a clear definition of bullying, staff knows what to look for to better protect students.
2) Remove labels and address behavior
When educators use labels like “bully” or “victim,” this implies subjective judgments are being made. First find out what happened before deciding whether the incident qualifies as bullying. Look at the specific behaviors that occurred. Start by involving the student who is doing the bullying. They need to know how their actions and behaviors negatively impact the student they are bullying. If the behavior continues, parents or guardians will need to be involved.
Emphasizing the negative consequences of specific behaviors, such as disrupting the classroom or harassing other students, teaches students to recognize what behaviors need to stop.
3) Set clear, enforceable rules and expectations
Age-appropriate rules are important. Younger students benefit from simpler rules. Rules should apply to older students that match their maturity level.
Here are guidelines suggested from the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) framework:
- State rules in positive terms.
- Keep the number of rules to a minimum (3 to 5, depending on age).
- Set rules that cover multiple situations.
- Make sure rules are age appropriate.
- Teach students the rules.
- Set an example for rule-following behavior.
- Be consistent in enforcing the rules.
4) Reward positive behavior
Reinforcing good behavior gives students clear expectations about conduct. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that schools:
- Affirm good behavior four to five times for every criticism.
- Use one-on-one feedback.
- Do not publicly reprimand students.
- Help students see how to correct their behaviors.
- Help students understand that violating the rules will result in consequences.
5) Encourage open communication
Classroom meetings allow students to talk about school-related issues beyond academics. Staff should use empathetic listening. Students want to know they’re truly being listened to and feel supported. They need to feel comfortable speaking with their teachers one-on-one, especially if they feel they are being bullied.
A student who is being bullied might not want to say something in front of the whole class. Schools need to reporting systems that are easy to use and confidential. They need to encourage teachers and staff to report any incidents that occur. Reporting also helps track individual incidents and responses to detect trends.
Communication is not just verbal. Nonverbal cues may include decorations, signs, and the school’s physical interior and exterior. Nonverbal cues can send a strong message to foster a positive environment. Without positive messaging bullying is more likely to occur.
6) Engaging parents
Keeping parents informed about their child’s grades, friends, behavior, and attitude in school is important. Parents and teachers together can provide a consistent approach to more productive and appropriate behavior. Engaging parents also helps a message sink in with a child. When both parents and teachers have open conversations with students about the harms of bullying, it can make it easier for one student to intervene or get help when someone else is being bullied.
7) Look for warning signs
Ask these questions: Are you constantly breaking up behavior/incidents between the same kids as a teacher? Do you ever find the underlying cause of what is really going on? Have there been any significant changes in a student’s attitude and/or behavior?
Bullied students might communicate their distress through their behaviors, which can include:
- Have unexplainable injuries.
- Frequently have headaches or stomachaches.
- Experience changes in eating habits.
- Have difficulty sleeping.
- See declining grades.
- Lose an interest in school and friends.
A student who is bullying someone might show behavior such as:
- An increase in fights with other students.
- More aggressive actions, which require them to be sent to the principal.
- Blaming others for their situation.
- Refusing to take responsibility for their own actions.
8) Clear the scene when bullying occurs
Teachers and staff most often break up incidents at school. It is important to separate all students involved so you can gather the facts individually. First remove the bystanders and then chat with the students involved in the incident. Listen to their stories. When things calm down interview the bystanders. Show empathy and remember you do not know all the circumstances.
Bullying rarely ends right away. Be persistent and consistent about stopping it, follow through with consequences, and follow up with students after incidents.
9) Monitor hot spots
These are the places where bullying is most likely to take place, according to Stopbullying.gov: hallway or stairwell (43.4%); classroom (42.1%); cafeteria (26.8%); outside on school grounds (21.9%); online or text (15.3%); bathroom or locker room (12.1%); somewhere else in the school building (2.1%).
You can help reduce bullying by knowing where it often happens and what signs to look for.
10) Know your state laws and district policies
All 50 states now have bullying laws in place. Schools need to ensure their policies match state laws and that all staff and teachers are aware of any legal responsibilities. This allows everyone to be on the same page and helps students feel safe.
Crisis Prevention Institute
