Respect

The Big Bad Bully

According to a Time Magazine article this month, as many as 1 in every 10 kids reports being bullied at school and over 160,000 kids in the United States miss school each day because they are afraid of being bullied.  There have been many studies about why children bully and why some kids are the victims of bullies, but bullying can happen to any kid at any school.  Bullying is the opposite of respect, and makes many kids afraid to even go to school. 

Bullying can be much more than just teasing and picking on kids using bad words or names.  Bullying can also turn violent, and kids are physically hurt at their own schools, places where they should feel safe from danger.

Studies have shown that the anti-bully programs that work best are the ones where all people at the school and in the community are part of the solution.  Kids, teachers, bus drivers, parents, police officers, and the principal can help to make a change at their school.  One school in Maryland started a program where high school students come to the elementary school and talk to other kids about bullying and what they can do if they are bullied or see someone being bullied.  Showing respect for yourself, your teachers, your friends, and your classmates can help to eliminate bullying from your school.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is bullying?
2. Why do you think kids bully each other?
3. What can you do to help stop bullying at your school or in your neighborhood?