How to deal with bullying preschoolers

While engaging in conversation with some colleagues the topic of bullying consumed us with the preschool age child.  The city I reside in posted in the newspaper and television segments talked about the problem and what we as citizens should do to protect ourselves.  Well, this matter got to me thinking about the preschool age child where reports are being documented of this bullying classmate and others.

Therefore, the preschool age parents and teachers cannot be ignored but addressed through early interventions so the child will not continue down this pathway into adulthood.  The child must understand that there are clear boundaries and the consistent expectations are key ingredients for working with the inappropriate behavior (bullying).  Adults must tell the child this behavior will not be tolerated but model appropriate ways to control the behavior. 

 Listed below are some intervention strategies that can be implemented with the child bullying.

       1.      Intervene and talk with the child.  Be firm and calm to let the child know bullying is not

             accepted at preschool or at all.  If bullying is not stopped it can affect mental and physical

             health of all children enrolled in the program.

2.      Listen to the children who are involved in the bullying situation.  It is important that the adult does not judge or blame the children you are listening to help them work out the problem.  Remember, the child who is bullying often feels everyone is blaming them and this makes it harder to build trust to ultimately change the behavior.

3.      Talk about bullying with the children.  You can role-play different situations about bullying and let the children suggest ways to resolve the problem with bullying someone. Children can show through their body language how to say “no” and “yes” to stop the child who may be bullying them.  Then, write down the suggestions and focus on the positive appropriate actions such as sharing toys by playing together.

4.      Select culturally age appropriate books on bullying.  Use the selected books and other materials (puppets) to discuss how bullying makes one feel and discuss reasons why someone by be bullying children.

5.     Talk about feelings.  There are times with a child has a lack of language to express feelings this can influence negative behaviors of the preschool age child.  Adults must provide children with words to express their wishes and feelings (poster of emotions).  Also, talk one-on-one with child who is bullying to help express feelings in an appropriate manner.

6.      Exercise and relaxation techniques can be used to help bullying learn to control inappropriate behavior of bullying.  As the child is exercising it burns off energy and yoga (relaxation technique) will focus attention on breathing and calming down to control actions.  This will help the “bully” find appropriate ways to exhibit behavior in a positive manner.

 This is a situation that we must address today and not wait for someone else to solve the problem.  I don’t want to see these children into adulthood being jailed or worse a life lost before time due to we (adults) opted not to use early intervention to show and model appropriate ways to solve problems.