Bullying workshop prepares parents

Westwood Suburban Press
Parna Sakar-Basu
January 16, 2003

This article covered Robin D'Antona's, associate director of the Project on Teasing and Bullying, lecture to a community of parents and school administrators about how to recognize and diffuse teasing and bullying. D'Antona included these tips:

1. "Know your children's friends."
2. "Ask open-ended questions such as who did they have lunch with or what would they do if someone bullied a classmate."
3. "Observe how they interact with friends and neighbors."
4. "Work with school staff to prevent or stop bullying. Let students know about the consequences."
5. "Empower victims to speak-up and assure them that they will not be blamed for the incident."
6. "Raise awareness and empathy level among students so bystanders will not stand around while someone is being bullied."
7. "Change culture and attitude withinthe school and community rather than punishing bullies or victims."
8. "Praise kindness, especially if a child has stood up to a bully."
9. "Help develop friendship skills."
10. "Role play with children and provide them with specific solutions or script."