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Published on: 2/10/2002
Last Visited: 2/10/2002
Dr. Jill Goldberg-Arnold, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Ohio State University Medical Center, says you may want to take notice if your child has a sudden and dramatic change in attitude about school, of if he/she becomes withdrawn or anxious when the subject comes up.
If he/she does, specifically ask them about recess.It's during unstructured times like that when most bullying happens.
From early on, parents ask kids, 'How was your day at school today?' 'What did you learn?' 'Do you have homework?' It's much less common for people to say, 'What did you do on the playground?' or 'Who did you play with?'"
When it comes to protecting themselves, your children should learn to tell an adult about the problem.
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Dr. Jill Goldberg-Arnold advises, "The best tip is to be humorous.If you can be kind of snappy and funny, it really takes the bang out of the bully."
If a bully knows he's not a source of fear, he'll often leave his victim alone.
Many experts say schools need to have more intervention programs for bullies and their victims.
As for the bullies themselves, studies show that 60 percent have at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24.
Stranger Danger: KFMB Protect Your Child