Did you know that October is Bullying Prevention Month? Hopefully your child or grandchild’s school is doing all it can to educate students on bullying and how to prevent it.
My husband and I have been trying to educate our kids about bullying since they were younger. As someone who was bullied all through school (elementary through high school) for being overweight, I know first hand what kind of “damage” it does to the person being bullied. It really knocks down your confidence and self esteem. I can’t even being to tell you how many nights I cried myself to sleep because of the horrible things some kids did to me as well as what they called me (every “fat” nickname you can think of). 🙁
My kids know that bullying is NOT tolerated in our family. They also know that they should stick up for someone who is being bullied. If they can speak out to the ones doing the bullying then it’s up to them to reach out to a teacher or someone else at school and tell them about it so they can put an end to it.
Here are some alarming stats about bullying and children/teens.
- Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University
- A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying
- 10 to 14 year old girls may be at even higher risk for suicide, according to the study above
- According to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying
Reading these stats breaks my heart. This is why we must all work together to put an end to bullying once and for all.
If you are a parent, grandparent or educator there are a few films you can watch together as a family or with your classroom that really emphasis what bullying does to others. All of these films can be found on Netflix.
Big Kids
1. Bully
2. The War
5. Cyber Bully
It’s never too early to educate children about bullying, however it might be too “deep” of a subject for some children.
Netflix complied a list of movies that you might enjoy with your little one or family that doesn’t necessarily focus on bullying but rather how there is a hero in each and every one of us.
Little Kids
1. Hercules
3. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
4. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
It’s always a great idea to watch movies like this as a family. Afterwards you should take the time to discuss the movie as a family. What did your child/grandchild think about the movie? What would they have done if they were in similar situations? What positive things did they learn from the movie? What negative things did they see in the movie that they think should have been changed and how would they go about changing it? There are no right or wrong questions or answers.
Watching movies together is a great tool to use to help open up a dialogue/discussion with your children.
If your family enjoys doing crafts together that is another great way to have a discussion about important topics.
Here are a couple of fun crafts you can do as a family. While you are working on the crafts talk about bullying with your family.
Anti-Bullying Tie Dye Pillow and Tote
Inspire your big kids to take a stand against bullying with these empowering messages. Click here to learn how to make your own.
“I’m a Superhero” Photo Magnet
Show your little ones there’s a superhero in every kid with this fun and easy craft. Click here for full instructions.
I have heard of the film Bully before. I am thinking about watching it with my family this weekend. I’m not sure about the Tie Dye crafts (not sure my teen son would be interested). I know my daughter would love to make them.
How do YOU teach your child/grandchild about bullying? What tools do you use? Do you use movies to help educate them about bullying? Have you ever tried crafts? Feel free to share how you discuss bullying with your family.
Fore more information about Netflix visit www.Netflix.com. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Kimberly
*I have partnered with Netflix who provided the information/sources. The opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.
Deborah D says
What great tips about anti bullying education. I Never thought about doing crafts about antibullying.
Tammy S says
You are right, reading those statistics just breaks your heart. I can’t believe in this day and age that kids still do this. I am shocked when I see other kids doing it. I wish more parents talked to their kids about bullying. Thanks for all the movies. I haven’t heard of the one called Bully for big kids.
Olivia Rubin says
I have seen all these movies except Fat Boy chronicles..adding to my list. I just finished watching Valentine Road that you reviewed last week. Bully was a the perfect perspective into bullying and I loved the followup on the main character. It was unfortunate that it was rated PG-13 because children needed to be accompanied by adults to see it.
jean says
So important to talk regularly with kids about bullying and to teach that all people should be treated with respect and value.
Deb E says
It’s very hard for me to understand this. I was so fortunate to have a wonderful small town (village) to grow up in, and never saw or experienced bullying. I would use movies I’ve seen to help explain or better yet the media and stories I’ve seen in the news. Just hard to believe that happens but kids need to be prepared and talking about it is the first step.
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
ohh i like the Stand Up craft!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
I was so fortunate with my daughter that she didn’t have any major bullying problems. I have a 3 year old and I worry about when he gets older. It is great that there are so many resources for bullying now.
Eileen Richter says
Just had a talk with my 14 about this tonight. She had a sticker on her binder about it. I asked if she had ever been bullied (as she is our bold one, and she said no). I asked her if she has ever bullied. She said no. Then I asked her if she ever said anything kiddingly but could have been taken as bullying and hurtful feelings might have come out of it. She just could not really think…but I think it GOT her thinking. I also asked her if she thinks EXCLUSION is a form of bullying. THAT got her really thinking. As she has been excluded often. I think exclusion is the new bullying. Ignoring or intensionally excluding another human being and making them feel inadequate, invisible, unwanted is just as bad as namecalling or cyberstalking, etc. It’s can be even more manipulative IMO.
Rosie says
This is something close to my heart, too. I was bullied for being very little. When I was 5, i looked 3, etc. These are great ideas year round. It is good for kids to know what to do if bullied, and also what constitutes being part of bullying, as I think sometimes kids don’t realize they are doing it as part of group, especially.
judy gardner says
honestly, when i was in school about a million years ago, i was bullied in school. where i went to school if you didnt have money or were beautiful you were an outcast and often made fun of. while my niece is both beautiful and smart, i keep the lines of communication open with her so she will never have to go through what i did as a child. i like incorporating crafts with dialogue and the pillow are really pretty and cool enough that any age would like making them!
Sarah Hayes says
Those stats are very disturbing. It really saddens me that kids have to deal with something so terrible. I dont look forward to my child being at the age that she may face the same kind of things. Thank you for the list of movies and other activities that we as parents can use to educate our children about the dangers of bullying.