October is an important month. Different organizations have different names for it– National Bullying Prevention Month, National Anti-Bullying Month, Stop Bullying Month, Bullying Prevention Awareness Month…call it what you wish, each has the same purpose. Let’s all do what we can to stop bullying and to be positive role models for those around us.
During the summer at our overnight camp, a guest musician came to work with the children and created a song which you can see and hear with this link: http://blogs.rj.org/eisner/2013/07/22/you-and-i-everything-will-be-alright/
It’s extraordinary, and the lyrics came directly from the campers. David Long also spoke to the kids about his Bullying Project, which he founded after losing his teenage son to bullying. Learn about David and Tyler here: http://www.everythingstartswith1.org/.
Watch Lora’s YouTube video of Mark Wills’ song “Don’t Laugh at Me.”
http://www.youtube.com/user/babyfingersASL?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/UmWrDXEQlFY
Peter Yarrow took this song and created a curriculum that has become well known for use in schools and camps around the country to extinguish bullying behaviors. Take a look at http://www.operationrespect.org/.
Below are some other useful links on this topic:
http://www.teachsafeschools.org/bullying-prevention.html
http://www.nobully.org.nz/guidelines.htm
http://www.friendlyschools.com.au/about.php
Have a conversation with your kids about bullying. We can all make a difference in the life of a child.