Standing Up For Others

October was first declared as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006. It is a time to acknowledge the negative effects bullying can have on children and their families.

There are three roles in bullying: (1) the person who bullies, (2) the person being bullied, and (3) bystanders who watch.

There is a scene in the "Don't Be That KID! At School" book where our KID is not allowing another kid to play basketball. There is a group of kids observing the incident and waiting to play. They are not intervening.

The scene provides parents, grandparents and educators an opportunity to discuss the importance of helping others who are being left out or bullied. It's important to stress to children that it takes COURAGE to choose to be kind when others are bullying someone. A great quote from Helen Keller is: "I am only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

Here are eight ways to stand up for someone. Use them as talking points and then have your children add some of their own.

1. Choose not to be a passive bystander. Doing nothing allows mean behavior to continue.
2. Choose not to join in when people are picking on or laughing at someone.
3. Try to distract the person or people who are teasing someone. Find a way to change the subject or help get the target away from whoever is doing the bullying.
4. Ask the person who is being mistreated or bullied to join you in something that will get him/her away from the bullies.
5. Show you care. Say something kind, supportive and understanding to the person being bullied.
6. Talk to the target. Listen and be compassionate.
7. Offer to walk the target to class. Let him/her know you care.
8. Help the target by informing an adult.