Bullying, Aggressive Behavior, Behavior Management Problems

Bullying includes behaviors that are done to intimidate or put down another child. Behaviors might include teasing, making threats, socially shunning a child, or taunting but sometimes behaviors may be more serious, such as if the child demonstrates aggression such as hitting or kicking. By bullying another child, the Bully maintains control over that child. This can be very intimidating, embarrassing or frightening for the bullied child.

Children who bully often are facing issues of their own. Not only is bullying an issue of control, but the child who bullies may also be faced with self-esteem issues or being the victim of bullying from another that the Bully cannot control, thus seeking revenge on the weaker child. Bullying can also be the result of the child learning this type of behavior from other friends or family.

Whatever the cause of the bullying, being bullied can be a terribly disturbing experience, especially if the bullying takes place over time. If you know of a child that is being bullied, it is important to let the proper authorities know. This might be the teacher or principal of the school, or the parent of the bully if the behavior is occurring in the neighborhood. Do not sit back and hope the behavior will go away. Each day a child is bullied, his or her self-esteem is being attacked and bullying behavior can become a pattern which might follow the child throughout his or her school career.

It is important to let the bullied child know that the bullying is the problem of the person doing it and not the result of something the child has done or who they are. It is helpful to explain to the bullied child that the Bully is suffering mental health problems of his or her own and is projecting those problems onto the bullied child.

A young child should not be told to stand up to the Bully because the Bully may become increasingly more aggressive to regain control. Intervention should come from a caring adult who can help both the Bully and the victim.

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