Child Bullying: Signs
In most cases a child will not tell an adult that they are being bullied and the school may not be aware of any subtle changes in a child’s behaviour. Therefore it is crucial for parents to identify when their child is experiencing a problem. If you have noticed that your child’s attitude, behaviour or emotional responses have changed recently, the issue of bullying should be considered.
Children and adolescents respond to difficulties growing up. As they develop their behaviour and personality will change. This is natural. However some behaviours are not natural signs of healthy development and should be identified and linked to specific problems.
In the event of a child/adolescent being bullied there are a number of ways that this will be expressed. The following list is some the most reported signs of bullying:
Coming home with cuts and bruises
Torn clothes
Asking for stolen possessions to be replaced
‘Losing’ lunch money
Asking for money or starting to steal (to pay the bully)
Falling out with previously good friends
An unwillingness or refusal to go to school
Feeling ill in the mornings
Being moody and bad tempered
Being quiet and withdrawn
Starting to stammer, lacking confidence
Bed wetting
Crying themselves to sleep, having nightmares
Insomnia
Anxiety
Wanting to avoid leaving the house
Aggressive with brothers and sisters
Wagging school
Doing poorly in their schoolwork
Refusing to talk about what’s wrong