Parents can take steps to help bullied children

By Staff Writer

Bullying can begin in children who are as young as four years old, according to the Portland Press Herald. In order to prevent or address this behavior, parents can take a few steps to ensure that safety is the priority.

Parents first need to find out if the teased child is in danger. The student may need to be escorted to school, and an adult presence can be necessary in places where the bullying occurs. However, while adult supervision can be helpful, it may also lead to more teasing when adults are not present.

The bullied child may benefit from enrolling in a confidence-building extracurricular activity, such as a self-defense class. Parents can help by being accepting of their child and valuing his or her strengths.

In a study by the National Education Association, it was estimated that more than 160,000 children miss school each day due to fear of attack or intimidation by another student. The report also revealed that 71 percent of students across the U.S. report that incidents of bullying are a problem in their own schools.