Bullying in Preschool Children
Bullying is a behavior that is encountered in many areas, including daycare. A parent doesn’t send a toddler to daycare anticipating that they will encounter a bully. However, it happens more often than we like to admit. In short, bullying is a repeated behavior of intentionally harming or humiliating a person who is weaker, smaller, or younger. It can come in the form of a verbal, physical, and even mental attack. Bullying that takes place in a daycare setting is not the typical form of bullying. The child will usually display more aggression and a bossy attitude. More often than not, the child will consistently pick on another child who is smaller, weaker, or shy, and who will give in to the request of the bully. “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. – John 15:12, NASB The basics of bullying Most of the time the reason behind being a bully is to get what is wanted. Bullying is not a genetic trait. A person becomes a bully through behavior that becomes learned through watching others. As a preschooler, they may not understand how cruel their actions can be nor do they consider the other child’s feelings. Types of bullying Although there are a few types of bullying, daycare bullying typically shows up in two ways. Verbal bullying ensues when the bully says mean things intended to cause others to laugh at the victim. This can be name-calling or teasing to make them feel bad at the expense of others’ fun. Physical bullying is easier to spot because it involves hurting someone or causing damage to their belongings. Daycare incidents often include hitting and kicking to get what they want. It may even be noticed when the bully destroys or takes [...]




