Part 2 - Anti-Bullying Week - Pat Capel

The Good Mental Health Podcast

Anti-Bullying Week with Pat Capel. In Part 1, I mentioned our emotional needs and how schools can help to ensure that these are satisfied. Each child needs to feel that they are part of a community and that they have a real and significant connection to others. We all know that bullies themselves are often on the receiving end of bullying. And that can be because they do not feel a sense of connection. As teachers, we are in charge of a community: our classroom. We need to make each child in front of us feel part of that community. That means making every effort to include all the children in class discussion and activities. If we sense that someone is being excluded, we need to do whatever we can to integrate them back into the class. A child that does not feel part of the community will find ways to make themselves known. They act out. They disrupt others. They could become bullies just to be noticed. But if we can find ways to make each child feel valued within that community, they learn to respect themselves and others. We all have the emotional need for attention and we will seek out attention if we feel left out. By giving each child significant and meaningful attention, we are contributing to their mental health. By children learning when to give and receive attention, we are setting them up for a far more meaningful adulthood. But it starts learning to respect ourselves and others within the classroom. A respectful child will not bully others. Our impact is stronger when we work together. Discover how you can play your part … https://www.humangivens.com/2020/11/06/anti-bullying-week/