The early years have been found to hold to key to bullying prevention. The formative years, such as they are called, are reportedly the most effective years to discourage bullying later in life.
Bullying instances that are not addressed tend to develop into mental and behavioral disorder. Some bullying victims become depressed, even suicidal while others become bullies themselves.
According to CNN, a recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine states that bullying should now be recognized as a public health problem. Bullying poses both physical and mental health damages to individuals especially children.
Calling someone names and being verbally abusive is not #banter it is #bullying https://t.co/LEUj41Dq4E
— Bullying UK (@bullyinguk) May 15, 2016
The National UAE reports that children show indications of being bullies and of being bullied as early as age 3. With rising cases of bullying indicative of a global epidemic, experts are now turning to prevention rather than cure.
Dr. Ron Slaby, a developmental psychologist at the Boston Children's Hospital, and child development specialist Dr. Kim Storey are among the proponents of early prevention. Both experts pointed out that the previous response had been to address bullying during the school years, but the earlier years of a child may be the most effective timeframe.
Scars of bullying can last a lifetime and well into adulthood https://t.co/2YDwJ6SRXm https://t.co/xlcYTrDKkN — Bullying UK (@bullyinguk) May 14, 2016
"We're focusing on this age group because this offers one of the best opportunities that parents and teachers have to help children prevent bullying before it starts," Dr. Slaby stated. "Teasing can become taunting, nicknaming can become name-calling, laughing with someone can become laughing at someone and bossing can become coercion and threatening."
Is your child bullying others? Not sure how to tackle this? https://t.co/OiSwBzEBoE
— Bullying UK (@bullyinguk) May 12, 2016
Among the more basic measures suggested by Dr. Slaby and Dr. Storey in preventing bullying at the root is to speak with children. Sharing of bullying experiences by parents and teachers with very young children is part of the new strategy.
Aside from opening communication on the topic, adults can also help children develop the necessary social skills to recognize and resist bullying. As early as 3 or 4, children can begin becoming better equipped to help in the fight against bullying.
