Signs of Bullying in a 5 Year Old
As a parent, you have a natural desire to protect your child. You might walk him or her to the bus. You teach them about strangers and you worry about them doing well in school. At this age, many parents don't yet worry about their child being bullied but, all too often, it happens. If your five-year-old is on the receiving end, there is a five-year-old bully dishing it out. Both instances have signs to look for.
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Signs of a Bully
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A bully may enjoy envoking fear. It is hard for many parents to consider their child as having bullying tendencies but it is in your child's best interest to nip the behavior in the bud before he or she gets out of control. Children that voice positive excitement towards violence or are physically aggressive towards adults may be on their way to bullying their peers. Other signs to look for are quick temper, impulsive behavior and becoming frustrated with little cause. Children with a tendency to bully others show little sympathy toward others being hurt, on television or in reality. If your child is quick to break the rules but is good at talking their way out of the consequences, you could have a bully on your hands.
Reasons for Bullies
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Many theories exist as to why some kids become bullies but reasons often vary from one child to the next. Bullying is an anti-social, and sometimes violent behavior, among children from all lifestyles and ethnicity. Children who bully others tend to be popular and have many friends that support the bully's behavior, although popularity usually decreases in higher-grade levels. Male bullies tend to prefer physical bullying whereas female bullies more often prey on psychological aspects, such as exclusion and spreading rumors.
Signs of a Victim
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Girls tend to use psychological tactics like making fun of a hair style when bullying. Even in close-knit families, bullied children may find it difficult to tell a family member about their problem. This is often due to feelings of embarrassment or shame. A child who liked school but has a sudden loss of interest in going may be a victim of bullying. Lack of interest may manifest in a fake illness, fear, sadness, loss of appetite, anxiety or trouble sleeping. Aside from physical bruises and cuts, one most frequently noticed signs are falling grades and poor performance reports from teachers.
Intervention
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The first step for a parent is intervention. It doesn't matter if your child is the bully or the victim, you must talk with your child. As a parent, you must keep an open mind when a teacher or other parent accuses your child of bullying another child. Becoming defensive does not help. Children often hide negative behaviors from their parents. It may be difficult for a parent to realize their child is being manipulative and dishonest. Parenting skills are too often the blame for poorly behaved children; this is not necessarily the case. Do not be offended by accusations, take action to correct it. It is better for both of you in the end.
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