Addressing bullying behavior

It is likely in today’s society that bullying has impacted you or a loved one in some way, possibly resulting in both physical and emotional harm. As an educator, you are in a position to help make a difference in the lives of your students regarding bullying behavior.  

What you should do when addressing incidents of bullying 

It is essential to note the following actions you can take when coming across a bully: 

  • Step in immediately. It is crucial to intervene and stop any harm that is being caused. Also, getting help from another staff member/colleague is okay.  

  • Ensure the safety of everyone involved. Assess damage and confirm that all students are safe and not harmed. 

  • Assess any mental or medical health needs. Ensure that no students suffer from medical and/or mental health conditions.  

  • Maintain your composure. Stay calm and reassure the bystanders and kids involved that you have the situation under control.  

  • Be respectful when intervening. Model the behavior you would expect of yourself as a professional. Show the students the right way to conduct oneself.  

Common mistakes to avoid when addressing incidents of bullying 

Here are a few common mistakes you should avoid when addressing any instances of bullying in the classroom: 

  • Don’t ignore it. There is a strong chance that someone might get physically or emotionally hurt; therefore, an adult must intervene. 

  • Don’t question the children involved in front of other children. Always sort out the facts of the matter with students individually.  

  • Don’t force other kids to say publicly what they saw. 

What educators can do to address bullying behavior 

Here are a few actions that you can take to address bullying behavior formally: 

  • Make sure the child knows what the problem behavior is. Young students need to learn that certain behaviors are wrong and can cause harm to others. 

  • Try to determine the reasons behind why they bullied another student. Often, children bully other kids to fit in or gain popularity. Encouraging students to channel their emotions into positive activities such as sports or clubs can help change behavior.   

  • Use consequences to teach. Have the student who was bullying others lead a class discussion on how to be a good friend or write a story about the adverse effects of bullying. 

  • Have the student accused of bullying write an apology letter to the victim addressing the negative behavior. 

  • Support bystanders who witness bullying. Empower those who see a bullying incident to speak up.