Most people think of bullying as something that starts in late elementary school and stretches through high school, but, believe it or not, bullying in preschool is more common than you'd expect.
Because the behavior is typically associated with older kids, it is often overlooked during the young years, when it is hard to tell the difference between normal social experimentation and beginning bullying behavior. Some degree of punching, pinching and generally being "mean" can be normal is preschool children. So when does it need to be addressed as bullying in preschool?
Bullying can cause an enormous amount of stress, fear and anxiety in young children. Other signs that your child might be bullied are that they are suddenly afraid to go to preschool, they complain of headaches or stomach aches for no reason, they are clingy and whiny, they talk about one particular child doing mean things or they avoid eye contact when you talk to them about school. If your child is being bullied, talk to them; talk to the teacher; talk to the director of the preschool! You must do everything you can to stop preschool bullying before it has a long, negative effect on your child.
If you discover your child is suffering from bullying in preschool, here are some steps you can take to stop preschool bullying.
1. Talk to your child. First and foremost, let your child know you love them and you will take care of them. Re-fill their emotional tank by covering them in words of affirmation and hope. If your child is on the receiving end of toddler bullying, their self-esteem can take a beating and you have the power to build it back up again. Spend time with your child doing fun, positive things so that they can feel comforted and assured of your presence in their life to help them deal with bullying in preschool.
2. Work with the school - do not - try to solve bullying in
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