http://indykidsdirectory.net/index.php en mark@indykidsdirectory.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-10T19:27:44+00:00 http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/bullying/ http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/bullying/#When:19:27:44Z What is bullying? We have all experienced instances of bullying either as the bully or the victim. We all think we know it when we see it, but do we really? Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not “just messing around”, and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm to the bully, the victim and the witnesses. The act of bullying involves an imbalance of power, intent to cause harm, and repetition. The person who bullies is using his/her power to control or harm others who are less able to defend themselves. The bullying is repeated because it worked. The bully got the reaction he/she wanted. Keep in mind, there are different types of bullying. There is verbal bullying, including name calling, teasing, making fun of another; there is social bullying which includes spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships; there is physical bullying which includes hitting, punching, shouting, pushing; and there is cyberbullying which uses the internet, or mobile phones to bully another. Students with special needs tend to be very susceptible to bullying. This is because they typically have immature social skills, misinterpret social interactions as overtures of friendship regardless of the message conveyed, and they seldom know how to respond to the situation. They very often don’t know how to report instances of bullying to the adults in their environment. How do you recognize the warning signs that your child might be bullied? There are many warning signs that can indicate that your child is being bullied at school or elsewhere in the community. These signs would include: coming home with torn or missing belongings; seems to lose things like books, electronic devices, jewelry or clothing; has unexplained injuries, complains of headaches, stomachaches, not wanting to go to school; has trouble sleeping due to bad dreams; has a change in eating habits, comes home from school starved; and loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly. If you think your child is a victim of bullying, what should you do? You need to talk with your child. Ask your child: • Do you ever feel lonely at school or left out of activities? • What is lunch time like at your school? • What is it like to ride the school bus? • Do kids ever call you means names or tease you? • Have you ever been afraid to go to school because of another student? Take the time to discuss what bullying is and how to deal with it at school. Teach your child to go to a trusted adult and report instances of bullying. Do not tell your child to ignore the bullying. This will encourage the bully to continue the behavior or escalate to get a reaction. This also implies that you don’t take the situation seriously and are going to ignore their complaints. Do not blame your child for being bullied. No one knowingly behaves in a manner that will encourage bullying. Do not tell your child to retaliate. This only teaches your child that bullying is okay and may result in disciplinary consequences. Always work with your school to resolve issues of bullying. The school has policies and procedures in effect to deal with these situations. RESOURCE: http://www.stopbullying.gov 2012-05-10T19:27:44+00:00 http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/indy_kids_directory_launch_party_hosted_by_seasons_52/ http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/indy_kids_directory_launch_party_hosted_by_seasons_52/#When:02:10:02Z We at Indy Metro Woman are proud to announce the birth of our New Publication Indy Kids' Directory. In continuation of our efforts at Indy Metro Woman to promote local businesses in the Indianapolis and surrounding areas, we would like to personally invite you to the launch party of our new publication, Indy Kids' Directory. Indy Kids' Directory is a free, full-color monthly resource guide for parents. Come eat, mingle, and learn more about how you can participate. Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Time: 5:30pm Location: Seasons 52 8650 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis, IN 46240 2011-02-17T02:10:02+00:00 http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/i/ http://indykidsdirectory.net/blog/single/i/#When:19:46:07Z Indy Kid's Directory will publish it's first issue May 2011! 2011-01-25T19:46:07+00:00