Category Archives: anti-bullying

It’s True: You Can Reduce Bullying in Kids With Mindfulness Practice

mindfulness_can_decrease_bullyingYou may be surprised to learn that mindfulness can reduce bullying both in school and at home. Mindfulness can help children and adults become more focused, more relaxed and in many cases happier. This is because the practice of mindfulness creates new neuropathways in the brain. That is what some scientists claim, and thousands of people who practice mindfulness on a daily basis agree with these experts.

You see, the practice of mindfulness is not new. It has been around for centuries. In the last two decades, scientific studies have caused mainstream media and education to take note. Educators have discovered that mindfulness can increase student test scores, help reduce bullying and cause children to be happier and more content. No wonder the practice is becoming more widespread in our public and private education systems.

Not only can mindfulness result in the above positive results, it is easy and inexpensive to implement. Does this sound too good to be true? If you said yes, you’re not alone. There are skeptics who are not yet convinced. If you find the claims hard to believe, try it for yourself. Begin practicing mindfulness in your own life on a daily basis. I suggest twenty minutes a day for six weeks as a start. After your own experience with mindfulness, re-evaluate how you feel about using the techniques to help improve the lives of children.

Would you agree that bullying is often the result of a real or perceived imbalance of power? There are many reasons why children begin bullying others or why children become victims of bullying. Some of these reasons include:

a/ being unhappy and discontented

b/ harboring anger from past incidents

c/ being abused by parents or siblings

d/ exclusion from peer groups

e/ boredom

If mindfulness techniques are introduced properly to children, they will begin to be more calm, happier and less apt to bully others. Children have described the feeling they gain from mindfulness exercises as ‘having a sense of peace’, ‘feeling more relaxed’ and ‘having their brain slowed down’.

Through the practice of mindfulness, children learn to be content in the moment and not dwell on past incidents. They worry less about being unhappy in the future and many say they can think more clearly. Children experience fewer instances of conflict with others as a result of the increased level of calm.

Are you a parent who would love to give your children the gift of clarity and calmness? Are you a teacher who longs for your class to be more focused and relaxed? As a parent and teacher myself, I can tell you I have found success with mindfulness techniques in the classroom and at home. I believe you will too.

Has mindfulness helped you or someone you know? Please share by leaving a comment below.

Why won’t the bullying stop?

stop_the_bullyingThat’s the question Nisha asked over and over when she was in her first year of high school. She didn’t think she had done anything to deserve it. But sometimes she wondered. She wondered if it was her nationality. She was born in Canada but her parents had moved from South Africa just a year before that.

She thought about whether the bullying might have something to do with her high grades. She had been top of the class in most of her subjects back in elementary school. She knew a few kids were jealous, but she didn’t think she had done anything to make them that way.

Nisha thought about the put-downs a lot of the time. Sometimes the others would talk just loud enough for her to hear bits and pieces of the conversation. She knew they were doing it on purpose, but she had become used to it. More recently, she had Continue reading

Sakura, Baby Metal makes a stand against bullying

Wow. Sakura (Baby Metal) has made a powerful statement – No Bullying, Ever. Here are the lyrics to the song:

No Bullying Ever, by Sakura

sakura_no_bullying_ever

Sakura – No Bullying Ever

Though I wanted peace of mind,
I couldn’t even have a chance to dream.
In between the darkness and the twilight,
I stayed alone.

Really those who got hurt were
not only I myself who got actually,
(but) also those who kept on watching me.
It was you.

Confidence,
[Have it!]
I couldn’t have.
[Don’t be beaten!]
I kept on hiding myself.
[I dislike to be found!]
Yesterdays,
[Yesterdays!]
go ‘way. And good-bye to my timidness.
[Bye-bye!]

Bullying is, [No good!]
bullying is [No good!]
nothing to boast about. [No! No! No! No!] Continue reading

How to stop social media from stressing your children?

friendlistDid you know your children could be stressing out over their social media friends list? Some children become very concerned about the number of friends on their friends list or likes on their page.

Many parents do not realize the kinds of issues that sometimes concern their children. Social media is on the minds of more and more of our youth. Are your children active on social media? Have you given them permission to be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? Friendster, Google Plus, Pinterest and Tumblr are some other social media sites where your children may be active. How much time are you children spending on social media?

Studies show that children from the ages of 13 to 17 are spending over two hours a day on social media sites on the Internet. It is estimated that over 8 million children below the age of 13 are active on Facebook. Facebook is intended for users aged 13 and older.

It’s true that social media is our new Continue reading

How to use schedules and structure to help prevent cyber-bullying

kidsstructureAre you struggling with the amount of time your kids are spending on computer, TV, handheld games, console games, YouTube and cell phones?

Kids who spend less time on-line experience fewer incidents of on-line bullying and are generally more well-adjusted. Are you looking for ways to be pro-active against cyber-bullying? Are you wondering how to get your children to spend less time on screens?

Luckily there is a solution which is not complicated or difficult. The method I’m talking about does take time and discipline in order to be effective. Implement this system and you’ll be glad to did.

I’m talking about schedules and lists. Sit down with your kids and talk about how much time you are going to allow them to spend on screens. You may want to give them more time on the weekend so that they can carry out their regular routines throughout the week without screen activities getting in the way.

One parent I know has decided their children will not participate in screens from Monday to Friday but on the weekends they can spend as much time as they wish doing screens activities. There are times when the children express frustration about not being able to be on screens during the week, but now that they’re used to it, the schedule is working successfully.

As parents, it is difficult to be Continue reading

7 Anti-bullying strategies for the summer holidays

July 3, 2o13
Can you believe that it is actually summer holidays? Well it is for many students anyway. You may have started your break in June or you might summerholidaybe studying all summer long, but a lot of students are now enjoying a break from school.

Here are some strategies for the summer holidays that can help you be an even better anti-bullying advocate. After all, everyone who is compassionate about something needs a change of pace once in a while.

1/ RELAX – Just take the time to do what you like to do. If you have a job, let it take your mind off school but if you are on holidays,  fill your time doing what you enjoy.

2/ READ – If you like to read, make sure you pick up some interesting titles at the library and let yourself sink into the books you’ve chosen.

3/ WRITE – Here’s your chance to Continue reading

3 Respect Tips for Catholic Schools, Toronto Ontario

Respect Stand Up NowRespect is a topic that comes up in schools daily. The need for respect is always growing, and it helps to reduce the amount of bullying in schools as well as other benefits for the students, teachers, and parents. Here are three simple tips to increase the level of respect in your school:

1) Treat People Right

Students should always be respectful to each other and their belongings. This should continuously be emphasized by the teachers. Respect should be shown even when others are not around to witness. Students who only act appropriately when a teacher or other authoritative figure is around are missing the point of respect. It should be used at all times, and does not matter if it will ever be noticed or not. The fact that you are being respectful will come out, and people will see that in you.

2) Choose Positive Thoughts

Respect relates to your innermost thoughts. Everyone can control their own thoughts, and therefore should always think of positive things. Students and teachers can have trouble doing this at all times, and should be practiced frequently. This means that one should clear their mind of any biases, prejudices, or past events that may put them in a sour mood. You should also stop thinking or saying profanities, put-downs, and rumors. Every person, student, or teacher should be treated as an equal, and your actions start with your thoughts. If you think of positive things about people, it will help you to show respect.

3) Forgive and Forget

One of the most important things to increase respect for people is to forgive what they have done to you if they have done anything bad. This may take time and a lot of effort, but it will help you to feel better and act with more respect. Restoring relationships is important for both children and adults. Talk with the people who are to blame, and tell them that you forgive them. Listen to what they say, and try to understand how and why things went badly. Rekindling old friendships can brighten your day, and grow your respect in people.

A major misconception about respect is that only children need to work on it. This is false because it is up to everyone to make respect grow. Working with these three tips about respect in your school will help to make a safer, healthier, respectful school.

Anger Management Tips

Anger Management Stand Up Now ProductionsEveryone gets angry once and a while. The key is to not let this anger ruin the rest of your day. You should learn how to manage your anger, and try to get rid of it to help you get through the day without it lingering in the back of your mind. Anger can negatively affect you in many ways, so here are a few tips to help you with anger management:

 

1) Be active

Go outside for a run, bike somewhere, or go swimming. Being active helps to take your mind off of things and release your energy. The fresh air and change of environment will also help you. Anger is easily released during physical activity.

2) Breathe

Take a moment to remember to breathe. Stop what you are doing, close your eyes, and take several deep breaths. Breathe in, hold that air for a few seconds, and then slowly release your breath. Imagine your breath coming from your gut, so that you do not just breathe from your chest. This will help you to lower your tension and stress levels.

3) Express your anger

After you have calmed down, talk with someone about what happened. Try to find out how to fix whatever caused your anger. Identify solutions that will help you to overcome your anger. Try not to be confrontational when talking with someone, as this could cause another wave of anger.

 

Your feelings can affect how you act and what you say. You do not want to regret what you do later on, so if you feel yourself getting angry, remove yourself from the area immediately. Follow the three steps outlined above, and try to get yourself in order and clear your mind before you go back.

Does Toronto need an anti-bullying bylaw like Port Coquitlam?

Port Coquitlam is currently working on an anti-bullying by-law which will give law-enforcement officers the power to charge people who are apprehended for bullying related offences. In November, Port Coquitlam participated in an anti-bullying campaign which was launched as a result of the suicide of Amanda Todd, the teenaged girl who committed suicide earlier this year as a result of bullying.

The anti-bullying bylaw would be the first law of this type to be passed in British Columbia. Plans are in place to have fines which would range from $200.00 to $2000.00, depending on the specifics of the offence.

People who are charged and fined with a bullying offence will be given the opportunity to have their ticket fees waived if they agree to participate in an anti-bullying course developed through the PoCoMo Youth Society.

The PoCoMo Youth Services Society was established in 1992 under the name PoCoMo Teen Centre Society and their original mandate was to develop teen centers in the three British Columbia Cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Their website is www.pocomo.org.

Another Canadian City which has had an anti-bullying bylaw in place since 2006, is Regina, Saskachewan. The bylaw in Regina was created as a result of the tragic bullying case of Reena Virk. Regina has defined bullying as: “any objectionable or inappropriate comment, conduct or display by a person directed at an individual not of the same household intended to intimidate, humiliate, ridicule or isolate, which causes or is likely to cause physical or emotional distress.”

Smartphone use can contribute to bullying incidents

The Regina bylaw also makes reference to bullying which results from the use of electronic devices, obviously a reference to the increasing seriousness of cyber-bullying. Regina also makes it possible for those charged to have the fee dropped by agreeing to participate in an anti-bullying course.

Regina officials feel the anti-bullying bylaw has helped to education its residents about bullying. They believe that it is important to raise awareness of the problem and help people understand the seriousness of bullying situations.

Some residents of Toronto believe that an anti-bullying bylaw would be a good thing for their city, as an effort to help increase awareness about a societal situation which in some cases has gotten out of hand.

I believe that education is a very important piece in the puzzle to reduce bullying. As society becomes more aware and more empathetic, our citizens will begin to raise the standards related to what is acceptable by society in general in the area of human relations and more specifically, bullying.

Please spread the word; bullying is not acceptable, in any form.

Stand Up Against Bullying!

Bruce Langford is an anti-bullying advocate in southwestern Ontario.

 

 

 

 

 

Can You Name 5 Reasons For Being Honest?

When dealing with bullying, you will find that the issue of honesty often comes to the surface. It is important to be honest, and I emphasize this with students in presentations everywhere. But what is an actual, real-life reason for being honest?

Here are five specific reasons for honesty:

1/ ReputationHonesty is one of the most important ways to build a solid reputation. It is a key element in almost everyone’s mind as to whether a person is desirable. If you are choosing a friend, would your first choice be someone you knew was completely honest, or someone whose honesty was questionable? The answer is obvious. Protect your reputation by being honest. That reputation will be with you for a very long time.

2/  Peace Of Mind — there is and gnawing feeling inside you when you say something that is not true. That feeling can remain for a very long time, and it can be more uncomfortable than many people realize. When you tell an untruth you may think that you can simply move on, but the fact is that your subconscious mind remembers you have told something which is untrue. Have you ever heard the expression, ‘that is something that really eats away at me?’ That’s what dishonesty can do. Subconsciously it can do harm over time. If you take a vow of honesty, you will be rewarded in your life. You will have an inner peace which will give you great comfort.

 

3/ Relationships — honesty can solidify a friendship or family connection and build the feeling of confidence that you have with the other person or people in your relationships. Whether we are talking about relationships of family, marriage, business, education, or religion, honesty is a vital part of those relationships. Honesty can create an environment where a relationship of any kind will flourish.

 

4/ Health And Well-Being — honesty can free us from guilt, worry, and other forms of psychological stresses. Dishonesty can cause many psychological problems, therefore it only makes sense that honesty can result in excellent mental health. There is a feeling of peace and calm that results from saying the right things, being honest, and living a life of integrity. We simply feel better when we are honest.

 5/ Being Genuine — after presenting hundreds of shows to children, one commonality that comes to mind is the answer to the question I often ask; “how do you make good friends and keep them“. The answer that comes from students time after time is simply two words; “be yourself”. If children see ‘being yourself’ as such an important aspect of relationships and friendships then it is obviously very important to be genuine. How do you be a genuine person without being honest? Of course the answer is… it would be impossible. To be genuine, you absolutely must be honest. So remember, be yourself, be genuine and most of all be honest.

Bruce Langford is an anti-bullying advocate and school speaker & presenter on all topics related to bullying.  www.standupnow.ca  1-800-901-9931