Early education might seem like a personal choice but it moulds a child into an individual. More because learning at an early age develops a child’s thinking, decision-making, emotional, and social skills.
For this reason enrolling your child in a preschool in Mascot is the first step to inculcate early learning habits. However, the problem of kids experiencing bullying in preschool is no less than a threat to both parents and kids. Bullying is an unfortunate reality that can affect children even at a preschool.
As parents, it’s important to teach skills and strategies to handle bullying in preschool. These skills and techniques reduce the bully’s power and support your child to come out stronger. In this blog, we will guide you through the practical steps and advantages of collaborating with preschool mentors.
Understanding Bullying in Preschool
Before understanding the practical steps to handle bullying and passing the knowledge to young learners, let’s understand the right definition of bullying.
Bullying among preschoolers can mean something entirely different than what it means to older children. It can be physical aggression like shouting, kicking, hitting, or threatening, verbal taunts, excluding social groups, or being a victim of unnecessary criticism, lying, or blaming.
If your child is experiencing such behaviours at a preschool, then they are a victim of bullying. However, it is important to know that every child is learning about social interaction. Sometimes what might seem like bullying could just be a friend’s banter or a misunderstanding.
But if the bullying seems like uncontrollable behaviour, talking to a mentor of a preschool in Mascot should be the next step.
How Preschool Mentors Can Help?
Many preschools have mentors who are qualified, trained, and skilled in understanding the difference between good and bad behaviour. While it is true that a mentor keeps a close eye on a preschooler and their activities, bullies can find their way of teasing in the absence of mentors.
If your child is complaining about harassment, it is important to make the preschool authorities know about it. Most specifically, the mentors in a preschool can guide you through your child’s ability to adapt to a new environment and develop strategies to handle bullying.
Steps to Teach Kids to Handle Bullying
Acknowledging and talking to a mentor of a preschool is crucial. However, taking a few steps from your end can be extremely supportive.
1. Open Communication
Enrolling your child in childcare in North Sydney comes with a lot of responsibilities. Be open to talk to your child about their day.
Ask questions like “what was the best part of the day?” and “Is there anything you want to share?” or “Did someone make you feel uncomfortable today?” can really help them express their concerns, thoughts, and feelings openly. Asking these questions will teach your child to communicate without fear or judgement.
2. Teach Empathy and Kindness
Teaching a child about the value of empathy and kindness at a young age is extremely important. Encourage your child to respect their mates and think about how others can feel about their bad behaviour.
You can explain the meaning of empathy to a child in many ways. For example, ask your child how they will feel when someone snatches their toy and how they should respond. Try to narrate a story or read a book to make this learning easier for them. Ask them to talk to teachers at a childcare in North Sydney to take prompt action.
3. Build Confidence
Teaching children to be confident and avoiding overconfident attitudes is helpful. Make them aware that saying ‘no’ and walking away from uncomfortable situations is always useful. But when things are not under their control, teach them to stand up for themselves without having to demean others. For example, if another child calls them a mean name, teach them to say, “I don’t like it when you call me that,” and then walk away to tell the teacher.
4. Recognising and Reporting Bullying
Give examples of bullying behaviour and why it is wrong. Tell them that an adult can always help if they or someone they know are a victim of harassment. Reporting bad behaviour is a brave decision and assuring your child to speak up when they are in trouble is a thoughtful decision.
Benefits of Engaging with Preschool Mentors
Even though kids learn from their parents about the tricks to handle bullying, professional guidance can be a cherry on the top. Here are benefits of engaging with preschool teachers.
1. Professional Guidance
Preschool mentors are skilled in handling bullying behaviours, no matter how difficult it seems. As a parent, it is important to include these mentors in the talk and take guidance on handling bullying behaviour. As parents might overlook, the mentors can identify signs much early before they turn into big problems later.
2. Builds a Supportive Environment
Preschool mentors in childcare in North Sydney can build a culture of respect and empathy within the preschool setting. They can promote activities that promote positive social interactions and reduce bullying behaviours.
3. Parental Support
Preschool mentors can support and help you to tackle challenges of addressing bullying. They can provide resources, workshops, and one-on-one consultations for parents who are unsure how to handle bullying or feel overwhelmed by the situation.
Practical Tips for Parents to Stop Your Child from Bullying Others
Children can sometimes, in their defence, can reciprocate bad behaviour through bullying others. Here is how to stop them.
1. Stay Updated
Get updates about your child’s social interactions at preschool. Attend parent-teacher meetings and be proactive in learning about your child’s social skills.
2. Model Positive Behaviour
Children observe and learn from their parents. Always model respectful behaviour in your interactions with others. Show your child how to handle fights calmly and confidently. Be an example that makes a child manage their anger and frustration in a healthy way.
3. Create a Safe Home Environment
As mentioned earlier, encouraging your child to discuss their daily experiences can stop them from taking any revenge even when someone else is causing harm. Assure your child that they have your love and support even when they discuss their concerns with you.
4. Promote Inclusive Play
Encourage your child to invite others to play and share mutual understanding. You can call their friends and organise playdates to teach them about healthy ways of cooperating with others.
5. Reinforce Positive Social Skills
Praise your child when you see your child sharing their toys, listening to others, and being responsible for their actions. Positive words and treats can encourage them to develop this behaviour into a habit.
Final Words
We hope you liked reading this blog. Teaching kids to handle bullying in preschool involves parents and preschool mentors who can together model good behaviour.
We outlined the practical steps you can take to teach kids who are dealing with bullies and the role of mentors at a preschool in Mascot in identifying early signs. If you think that your bullies at preschool are troubling your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to a preschool mentor.
ToyBox Early Learning preschool can end your search as their mentors offer guidance and support that assures complete well-being of your child. Remember, addressing bullying early can make a significant difference in your child’s social development and overall well-being.
