Elementary Bullying Poster

Responses shared below came from elementary students ranging in ages six to ten. What is revealing in their candid responses is the central role adults cast. To a young child witnessing an incident between an older, bigger student and a physically smaller child, it probably does look “scary.”

Do you know what bullying looks like?

• scary
• Like when someone pushes you around because they are bigger than you are
• When a bunch kids are making fun of another kid because of what she is wearing or the way they talk
• When someone calls another kid names
• When they throw the ball extra hard to hurt you and other kids laugh
• A kid will stick his leg out so trip so you trip and fall and get embarrassed
• Somebody writes your name on a piece paper with ugly pictures and shows it to everyone so they can laugh at you
• Playing really rough during recess or soccer practice when the coach is not around

Do you know what to do if you see a classmate being bullied?

• Tell my teacher
• Tell the bus driver
• Tell my mom or dad
• Ask for help
• Tell the bully to stop and it’s not nice to hurt someone’s feelings or say mean things
• Walk away and go get help
• Help them

Do you know what to do if you are being bullied?

• Tell my teacher right away
• Go to the principal’s office
• Write a note to my teacher
• Tell my friends
• Ask for help
• Talk to my dad or mom
• Go get my big brother or sister

What can school staff do?

Adults in schools can make a difference. They can help students address bullying behavior by:

• Helping students know what bullying behavior looks like;
• Hearing both sides of the story in private;
• Checking in on the student after an incident and talking to parents and caregivers;
• Providing opportunities to report incidents of bullying that are safe, fair, and anonymous if necessary;
• Sharing ways in which a student can get help;
• Helping them share with other adults – parents, counselors, coaches, paraprofessionals; and
• Allowing them to practice how they would respond if approached by a bully or witness bullying behavior.