In episode 2, we discuss the importance of communication between kids and parents concerning bully situations.
Kids need to know from the parents that it is ok to defend themselves from a bully that is physically attacking them. Kids are often afraid of being in trouble at school and at home for "getting into a fight" at school. Parents enroll their kids into martial arts programs to develop self esteem, confidence, and other life skills, but also because they want their child to be capable of physically defending against potential threats. We know that as parents we cannot be with our children every minute of every day.
It is also important to know the difference between a bullying situation vs conflict. Kids do not always get along well with one another. That does not mean that they are bullies or being bullied. It simply means that they need to come to a resolution as classmates/friends. Even family members do not get along 100% of the time.
How to recognize a bully situation:
1 -- A perceived or real imbalance of Power
2 -- The act is done with harmful intent physically or emotionally
3 -- It is usually (not always) a repeated act
Different categories of bullying:
1 -- Physical = hitting, pushing, pinching, any unwanted physical contact
2 -- Verbal = using words to cause emotional harm
3 -- Social = exclusion from group activities, rumors, laughing or encouraging the bully behavior as a group
4 -- Cyber = use of technology such as cell phones, internet, social media, etc.
The best thing you can do for your child to prevent bullying is to enroll them in a martial arts program. Studies have shown that kids that have been training for 3 or more years have a 64% reduction of bully related incidences.
In future episodes of the Roseburg Dojo show, we will discuss how to recognize the signs if your child is being bullied and what parents can do to help their child. Tune in every Tuesday at 9:55am on KVAL and KPIC right before The Price is Right.