The focus this month in our Social Skills Training Program is Bullying: dealing and helping put an end to bullying.
Underlying Principle:
There are different roles that either contribute to or help stop bullying. Teaching others the different roles in a bullying situation can help them identify when bullying is happening, and what to do if they or someone they know is being a victim.
Targeted Skills:
Perspective-taking, coping skills, conversation skills, expected/unexpected behaviors
Examples of Activities:
“A Wrinkled Heart”: On a piece of paper, cut out a heart. We will ask the client or their group to give examples of hurtful things a bully would say or do. For every example, fold the heart (small tears will also work). The next step is to unfold the heart, and try to get it to look as it did before the start of the activity. We discuss with the client how hurtful words compare to the folds and tears on the paper heart.
Roles in a Bully Situation: When bullying occurs, there are three different roles: the bully, the victim, and bystanders. On a piece of paper, fold it into three sections and label it with a corresponding role (bully, victim, bystanders). We will discuss with the client what each role can do to help end bullying.
Dealing with Cyber Bullying: Cyber bullying is when someone says or does mean things to another person using a phone, computer, or other electronic devices. Here are some things to do if a client sees or experiences cyber bullying:
1. Ignore the comments if they aren’t too harmful. Bullies want you to get made and engage.
2. Block the bully so that they can no longer interact with you.
3. Keep track of your interactions with the bully. It can be used as evidence against them.
4. Report the bullying to an adult. If it’s on a social media site, you can report the bully and their account can be suspended or banned.
5. Don’t wait until it gets too bad. The sooner you address the bullying, the quicker it can stop.
These are just some examples of activities we will feature on the topic of bullying this month.
