Bullying is when someone is mean to another person on purpose, and it happens a lot in places like schools and playgrounds. Dr. Rosemarie Truglio from Sesame Workshop says it’s important to stop bullying when kids are young. This article shares what experts say about bullying, how it affects kids, and how we can stop it.
Bullying is when someone uses their strength or power to hurt someone else. Dr. Joseph Wright from the Children’s National Medical Center says that many kids get hurt because of bullying. This shows why it’s important to understand how bullying can hurt kids both physically and emotionally.
Dr. Catherine Bradshaw from Johns Hopkins says that about 30% of kids are involved in bullying often. Also, 56% of kids have seen bullying happen. This means bullying is a big problem that many kids know about.
Dr. Jamie Ostrov, a psychology professor, explains that bullying can cause problems right away and even when kids grow up. If bullying isn’t stopped early, it can lead to feeling anxious, sad, or having low self-esteem later in life.
Trudy Ludwig, a children’s author, says that sometimes TV shows and movies make being mean look cool. She thinks we should change how we see popularity, making kindness more important than being the boss. This helps kids learn to be nice and respect each other.
Sesame Street is helping kids understand bullying. In one episode, Big Bird is bullied by another bird. This story helps kids see what bullying looks like and shows them it’s okay to ask adults for help.
Dr. Truglio says that kids need adults to help them when they’re bullied. Adults should watch for signs of bullying and step in to help. It’s important for adults to make kids feel safe so they can talk about bullying.
Bullying is a big problem, but we can all help stop it. By learning about bullying, being kind, and talking openly, we can make places like schools safer for everyone. Teaching kids early about being nice and speaking up can help make the world a better place for future generations.
Role-Playing Scenarios: Gather a few friends or family members and create a short play about bullying. One person can pretend to be a bully, another can be the person being bullied, and others can be bystanders. After acting out the scene, discuss how each person felt and what they could do differently to stop bullying. This activity helps you understand different perspectives and think about how to respond to bullying in real life.
Kindness Challenge: Create a “Kindness Calendar” for the week. Each day, write down one kind act you will do for someone else, like sharing a toy, helping a friend, or giving a compliment. At the end of the week, talk with your family or class about how these acts of kindness made you and others feel. This activity encourages you to practice kindness and see its positive effects.
Observation Journal: Keep a small notebook with you for a week and write down any acts of kindness or bullying you see at school, in the playground, or on TV. For each observation, note how it made you feel and what you think could have been done differently. At the end of the week, share your observations with a trusted adult and discuss ways to encourage more kindness and stop bullying.
