Once daycare providers and preschool teachers recognize the signs of bullying in very young children and its effects on children, they can learn to control bullying in their preschool classrooms and daycare centers.
Effects of Bullying on Children in Daycare
When children are bullied, there are negative effects on the child as a result. According to Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan, noted adolescent, adult and child psychiatrist, depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep and appetite disturbances, low self-esteem, aggression, increased risk of becoming a bully, declining school performance can all be seen in victims of bullying. Also, loss of interest in things, anxiety, sometimes even thoughts of not wanting to be alive, and unfortunately as has been seen, carrying out those thoughts with a suicide attempt
It simply goes without saying that the more a child is bullied the more negative affect it will have on the child. The degree to which the family is able to be very supportive and aware of this can ease the burden of the pain and prevent damage to the child, says Dr. Warren Seiler, child and adolescent psychiatrist and author of Battling the Enemy Within: Conquering the Causes of Inner Struggle and Unhappiness [Victory Laine Publishing, 2010].
How to Handle Bullying Daycare
Knowing that bullying is an issue in daycare is half the battle, but how can early childhood educators control bullying? The most important way to control bullying is through supervision. Educators should also implement a “zero tolerance” policy can help eliminate this behavior. “Zero tolerance policy means that if a child is found engaging in bullying, they are given consequences that are adhered too, repeated behaviors result in greater consequences, and if the behavior does not stop, they child maybe faced with expulsions from that school,” says Dr. Narasimhan.
Childcare providers such as preschool and daycare workers, educators who work in the schools, aids of any type who assist other adults in caring for children, need to be aware of the concept and what to look for. It is actually for the most part common sense that an adult would use when observing children at play or interacting with one another, especially when it becomes evident that one or more of the children are upset. “To begin to intervene and find out what the trouble is and to try to help the children resolve whatever the issue might be, and to keep an eye on that situation at a distance is crucially important for any childcare provider,” says Dr. Seiler.
Dr. Narasimhan also recommends gathering information about the child’s home environment. Some of these children are acting out as a result of being abused at home, or parents who are neglecting them because of things like substance abuse, mental illness. This behavior can be a result of adverse circumstances at home which need to be addressed and dealt with.
Childcare providers should be in frequent contact with the parents to collaborate care of the child, and to know about how things are at home. Childcare providers should also speak to the children to find out more about the home environment. Children should be taught to check in with their providers and talk to them about things happening to them. This trust has to be built so the child feels comfortable sharing things without fear, says Dr. Narasimhan.
One word of caution: Comforting the victim and punishing the bully only furthers the “bully victim” syndrome in the class. “Instead, the teacher should help one child express feelings about being bullied and assist the other child to learn that bullying does not help with finding an identity within the group”, says Sue Adair, Director of Education for The Goddard School.
With each intervention the teacher responds to the question, “What can I teach these children right now so they can learn to get along?” This helps to teach mutual acceptance and negotiation skills.
Interviews with Dr. Warren Seiler, Sue Adair, and Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan were conducted in May, 2010.
Carla Snuggs - As a writer for Suite101.com since 2005, it is a privilege to continue on as theTopic Editor for the subject of Day Care. I received a ...
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