By Caroline H. Sheppard, MSW
The best time to help prevent children from becoming helpless and powerless to bullying is at an early age. Brave Bart and the Bully, is designed to empower children ages 5-10, (given one to two years on either side, taking into consideration the developmental readiness of the child), by teaching them what to do when bullying occurs. This colorfully illustrated story can be used as both a prevention and early intervention resource for parents, grandparents, teachers and clinicians caring for and working with children.
Brave Bart and the Bully, provides an opportunity to begin the dialogue about bullying with young children. Sensitizing and educating children at an early age is the first step to teaching children the necessary skills to respond to bullying behavior and also promote empathy and understanding for those who feel hurt, alienated or unaccepted by others.
The role of the grandparent is multifaceted. Grandparents can offer and provide education, support, help, and guidance wherever and whenever it is needed. Helping children learn what to do when bullying occurs, understanding the bully and his or her needs and how to offer help, is the first good step toward decreasing bully behavior, as well as reducing the potentially traumatic cycle of bullying. Grandparents can make a difference by engaging their grandchildren in ways that sometimes parents cannot or do not always have the time available to do.
Through the use of non-threatening animal characters, Brave Bart and the Bully, addresses and features the three primary roles in the process of bullying: bully, victim and witness. Whether a child is the bully, the victim, or the witness of bullying, traumatic reactions can result. Bullying can begin at pre-school age and continue into old age. And, although bullying seems to be a part of the human condition, it should not be ignored.
Brave Bart and the Bully is distributed by TLC, a member of the Starr Global Learning Network. For more information about bullying and resources for traumatized children and adolescents please visit the online bookstore for the Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children at: www.starrtraining.org/tlc . Or, call 877-306-5256.