Back to school: Fight Bullying with a Smile

More than one out of every five students reports being bullied. More than half of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes. With back to school season right around the corner, Great Expressions Dental Centers(GEDC) wants to take a stand against bullying with one easy gesture – smiling.

Smiling is one of the best and most simple ways to prevent bullying. As your child prepares to head back to school, GEDC would like to share the following tips with you to ensure your child, and your readers’ children, know how to combat bullying:

1.       Simply smile. A simple smile is all it takes to begin a friendship. Encourage your child to smile at their peers when they head back to school - especially those that are the target of bullies. This simple gesture can help someone in need. If your child is the one being bullied, help them understand that most bullies are just looking for a reaction. Encourage them to simply smile instead of getting worked up in an effort to get bullies to leave them alone.

2.       Get crafty. For bullied students, heading back to school can cause great anxiety. Spend some time with your child before school begins and create a craft that they can hand out to their classmates in an effort to make everyone feel included. GEDC recommends adding beads to a safety pin as a “friendship charm” – a perfect addition to a backpack or pencil case.

3.       Stand up to bullies. If your student sees someone being bullied, educate them on how to stand up against a bully. Most bullies feel foolish after being confronted. After confronting the bully, encourage your child to reach out to a teacher or trusted adult to report the behavior.

4.       Treat others the way you want to be treated. This tip is nothing new, but can be very powerful. As back to school season begins, take time to talk with your children on how to respect their peers and use their smile to comfort others and make friends.

#STOMPOutBullying! on Blue Shirt Day #GoBlue2EndBullying2016 #BlueShirtDay2016

October is National Bullying Prevention Month! People everywhere are standing up and making a difference by raising awareness to bullying prevention!   Today, people everywhere will be wearing a blue shirt in solidarity to raise awareness of anti-bullying programs & #STOMPOutBullying around the world, including my daughter Gabby!

I'm so proud of my daughter and the stand she's taken against bullying. One of her good friends is transgender. When other friends made fun of him and gave him a hard time, my daughter stood by him and supported him every step of the way, from cutting his hair short to buying his first set of clothes that he felt confident in. 

In addition to offering her friend the support that he needed, she also took it a step further. Together, the two of them started a branch of the Gay-Straight Alliance in their high school, which encouraged many other kids to stand up for themselves or the people they love.  Today, the GLBT community in her school doesn't have to worry about getting bullied when they walk down the halls. My daughter helped STOMP Out Bullying in her school. She makes me so proud to be her mom.

You can make a different too! It only takes one person making a stand to make a real difference.We are all different, but if we all stand together, no one stands alone!  Here are a few tips to help you get started, courtesy of StompOutBullying.org:

Report Bullying

Don't be afraid to tell an adult. Telling isn't tattling! You are helping someone.

Who should you tell? You could tell your parents, teacher, school counselor, school nurse, coach or any adult you trust.

Be sure to tell exactly what happened ... who was bullied, who the bully was, where and when it happened. Even if you suspect a kid is being bullied, it's a good idea to report that, too. Most adults really do care about bullying and will be glad that you told them about it.

If you tell an adult and you don't think they are doing anything about the bullying or if the situation isn't improving, tell another adult. Keep telling adults until someone does something to help.

Be A Friend To Someone Who Is Being Bullied

When someone is down they need a friend. Be there for the person who is being bullied. Be a buddy on school grounds, get together after school, include them in activities, Walk home with them, sit with them on the bus. Being an understanding and supportive friend means so much. Show a kid who is being bullied that you care about them.

Stand Up To The Bully

If you feel safe and comfortable, tell the bully that what they are doing is mean and wrong. It's not cool and they should stop. Keep it simple.

For example, if someone verbally or emotionally bullies you, look them in the eye and say STOP IT NOW.” And then walk away. Even if they are bulling you as you walk away – keep walking.

Do not bully them back. If you are not comfortable standing up to the bully, tell an adult.

If You are Left Out Of A Group And Being Bullied

Very often someone you thought was your friend, has joined the bully’s side. While this does hurt you, ask yourself … how much of a friend could they have really been if they’re doing this to you.

Find other friends, join groups and clubs at school. The best revenge is for you to be happy!

REMEMBER

• It's NOT your fault. No one deserves to be bullied!
• Don’t fight back or bully a person back. It won't make things any better and it will probably get you into trouble. The ONLY time to   fight back is if someone is physically hurting you. At the same time others who see this should seek help from a trusted adult.
• Never keep the pain of being bullied to yourself. Tell someone. Tell a friend. Tell a trusted adult. Report it!!! Telling is NOT tattling.
• Don’t skip school or avoid friends, sports or clubs because you’re afraid of the bully. You have a right to be there just as much as   the bully does.
• No matter how bad you feel, hurting yourself or thinking about suicide is NOT the answer. Nothing is that bad. Talk with an adult   and get help.

Does your school have a peer mentoring group?

If so, talk to them. Ask for help.

Kids who are not bullying victims can help too. Ask your principal if you can start a peer mentoring group. You and your group can start a bully-free community in school. Before you know it the only lonely ones will be the bullies who will surely want to change their behavior when they're left out.

Join STOMP Out Bullying™ TODAY for Blue Shirt Day® World Day Of Bullying Prevention! GO BLUE and make it the day bullying prevention is heard around the world.

Book Review: Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler by Elena Ashley, PHD

“To Make A Friend, You Need To Be A Friend”
Dr. Elana Ashley writes a new children’s book that addresses bullying

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of four students are bullied during the school year. Even though most bullying can be found in schools among young children, there are still bullying epidemics that adults are involved in as well. 

Throughout Dr. Elana Ashley’s career, she has been able to mentor students, teachers, and parents through multiple workshops on child abuse, drug education, character development, self-esteem, and conflict management.

Knowing how prevalent bullying is in society, Ashley decided to write “Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler” available in both English and English/Spanish. In Ashley’s book, she focuses on the topic of bullying and how no one should handle bullies alone.

“Children will be able to understand that the answer to changing the behavior of a bully is for them to act in respectful ways and to let the other student know that he or she can become a welcome member in most situations,” Ashley said.

“Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler,” is about Ellie Elephant who turns to her friend Splunkey for advice. During the first half of the book, Splunkey gives Ellie and her friend important ideas on how to solve her bullying issue. 

Coupled with Splunkey’s advice and her own fast thinking, Ellie makes choices that save the day.

Throughout the book, Splunkey gives Ellie and her friend important ideas on how to solve her bullying issue.

“The world needs more kind and compassionate people to reach out with ideas and strategies for making this world a better place,” Ashley said.

By reading “Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler,” both children and adults will be intrigued by the images of Ashley’s real-life puppets, as well as the positive messaging about anti-bullying strategies and how to be the “bigger” person.

For more information, visit DrElanaAshley.com

“Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler”
By: Dr. Elana Ashley
ISBN: 978-I-4808-1957-3 (HC)
Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Archway Publishing

About the author

Dr. Elana Ashley is an author, artist, storyteller, and ventriloquist who teaches children and adults strategies for dealing with everyday issues. For more than two decades, Ashley has presented instructional and entertaining programs for students, teachers, and parents within the Chicago area, and also nationwide.

My Thoughts

The first thing that caught my eye about this book were the images in it. Instead of illustrated photos, the author uses photographs on life sized puppets. Many of them made me smile and chuckle a little, bringing a unique experience while reading the story. My kids also thought the images were quite funny.

Of course, the story itself isn't funny, but I liked that the photographs in the books helped keep the seriousness of the story not so high. Bullying has been around for a long time and as much as we wish it would go away, it isn't. Everyone has a unique personality and some of us are just made to feel better about ourselves by being mean to others until learning to deal with those feelings in another way.

In this book, Holly Howler is the bully and she often doesn't have anything nice to say. Ellie is the target of Holly's mean words and asks for an imaginary friend to help. As the story goes on, Ellie find the strength to stand up to Holly, but also becomes Holly's friend, helping her to no longer be a bully.

This book is great for a child of all ages to read. It will help them see how to deal with bullies, or if they happen to be on the bullying side, how they are hurting other kids feelings.

Green Giant Winner

Rose from the winner of the Green Giant Giveaway and she sent a long a photo and such an nice email, I had to share:

Dear Laura,

I got my $25 dollar visa gift card in the mail, I wanted to send a picture your way and thank you so much from my Husband and I!  I was thrilled to know that $25 dollars was donated in my name to Pacer’s Center for Bully Prevention! Bullying is something i went through my entire life and love helping others with this problem! I have shared my story with others and continue to do whatever i can to help! Again, Thank you so much, and thank you Green Giant! 

Much Love, 

Rose P.

 

Thanks so much, Rose, for sharing your story and taking a stand against bullies!

#MyBlogSpark - Green Giant "Raise a Giant"

At Green Giant® we know it takes a lot more to raise a healthy child then just getting them to eat their vegetables. Kids these days live in a world that is bigger and scarier than the world we grew up in, and they need help and encouragement to navigate that world with confidence and pride.
Unfortunately one of the hardest things kids have to deal with is bullying. When a child is bullied by a peer it can turn his or her life into a daily gauntlet of fear and anxiety.

That’s why Green Giant® is partnering with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and We Day Minnesota to help parents Raise A Giant and put a stop to bullying in their community.

What Does it Mean To Be A Giant?
Being a giant isn’t about being the biggest or the best. Being a giant means standing up for others. It means lending a hand to those who are in trouble and speaking up for those who sometimes find it hard to speak up for themselves.
Studies show that an effective way to stop bullying is for kids to simply speak up and say, “That’s not okay” when they see bullying happening.
But asking kids to have the courage to stand up to bullying is a tall order and that’s why they need our help.

How Do You Raise A Giant?
We’re asking parents to write a letter to their kids telling them how special they are and encouraging them to be part of the bullying prevention solution by being a giant.
To get started parents can visit our community at RaiseAGaint.com and read the letters others have written.

My Thoughts

All of my children have faced bullying at one time or another, but we were lucky. It was an isolated incident. There are some kids who get bullied everyday. These kids need encouragement and as parents, we need to teach our children to stand up not only for themselves, but for others who may be in trouble. My daughter and I am taking part in the RaiseAGiant program but writing our own letter. Here is Gabby's letter.  Because we have a family member with Down Syndrome, my daughter focused on treating everyone, including those with disabilities, with respect.

Sometimes when people see my aunt Mena, they think that because she has Down Syndrome, she has no feelings. That isn't true. It hurts her feeling went  people point and stare at her. Today I want to teach people that everyone has feelings. Remember that before you make a mean comment. No one deserves to be bullied or made fun of. Instead take the time to say hello and learn that even people with disabilities have plenty of cool things to say.  My aunt Mena can answer any music trivia question and get it right! So be a giant and treat everyone with respect.

Love Gabby, 12

 The Giveaway

 General Mills make a $25 donation in the name of one winner to the Pacer’s Center for Bully Prevention. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Giveaway will end on 10/22/13 Thanks again to My BlogSpark for offering this fantastic prize.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by Green Giant® through MyBlogSpark.

Standing Up! Autographed DVD Giveaway & Blog App #StandingUp

Did you know that more than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied?                                                

(Source: Pacer.org)

Based on one of the most beloved Young Adult novels of all time and directed by the acclaimed D.J. Caruso, Standing Up follows two kids who get bullied by a vicious summer camp prank. Left together on an island, their adventure begins once they decide not to be victims and instead they Stand Up! 

Standing Up is an adorable and heart-warming gem of a movie with an important anti-bullying message that’s suitable for the whole family! Get the DVD August 20!

What can be done to help the bullied “stand up” for themselves?

One of the best things we can do to understand the problem and discuss solutions is to be inspired. The movie “Standing Up” is THAT inspiration.

Check out the Standing Up Blog App to take the Do You Stand Up to Bullies? QUIZ, unlock tips to BEAT THE BULLY, and sign the ANTI-BULLYING PLEDGE! And don’t forget to watch this amazing movie on DVD, released August 20.


Click the Anti-bullying pledge image for a printer-friendly download)

View the Standing Up Blog App here:

https://archive.partnershub.com/show/4/standing-up/widget/standing-up/

Why you will love the Standing Up Blog App:

 

• Do YOU Stand Up to Bullies? QUIZ - Like in the movie Standing Up, life is full of beautiful, amazing things, but bullies sure aren’t one of them! Do you stand up to bullies? Or do you let them intimidate you and others? Take this quiz to see where you stand and get tips and tricks to beat the bullies in your life.

• Take the Anti-Bullying Pledge! PDF PRINTABLE - Standing Up not only has incredible charm, it also carries a powerful message. After watching the movie as a family, sit down with your young one(s) and talk about some of the essential life lessons from Standing Up. Tell your children about how bullying can affect even the strongest of people. Read and sign the Standing Up to Bullies Pledge and pin it on the fridge, bulletin board, or wherever you can see it as a reminder.

The stunning soundtrack to Standing Up from Varese Sarabande Records is available to purchase on 9/3 on iTunes and 9/24 in stores.

 The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Standing Up DVD signed by director D.J. Caruso.





 To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 9/9/13. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Open to the US only  Thanks again to  for offering this fantastic prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. Please note New Age Mama is not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, it is not received. Furthermore, New Age Mama is in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. Please note New Age Mama is not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, it is not received. Furthermore, New Age Mama is in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***