Part 5 - Anti-Bullying Week - Pat Capel

The Good Mental Health Podcast

Anti-Bullying Week with Pat Capel - Pat shows how the HG approach sheds light on why bullying behaviour happens, and unlocks practical and effective strategies for preventing – and stopping – it. I have been focusing on our emotional needs and how satisfying these could prevent a child becoming a bully. But the human givens perspective also mentions that there are potential barriers that can prevent these needs being met. One of them is a toxic environment. There is not much we as teachers can do when the child lives in a toxic environment. Yes, we can follow child protection guidelines and report it and allow the system to do what it can. But we have an obligation to ensure that our classroom is not toxic. Allow your classroom to be a safe refuge for all. A bully will have a story that you as the classroom teacher are not aware of. His or her innate guidance system might have been damaged by their past and present experiences. There might have been a trauma or their day to day existence could be traumatic. No-one can expect you to be a counsellor. But you might be the person that pupil trusts. Listen to them. Encourage them to seek help. Hopefully your school has a counsellor and you could gently encourage that pupil to seek assistance. But just listening to the pupil could make him or her feel valued and cared for. You have no idea the difference you could make. You are the adult in the room. You have learnt coping skills of your own over time. Some of the pupils in front of you could be missing these. Find ways to teach them. Be bold and step away from your scheme of work. Find ways to use your subject to teach something about life and how to cope with it. Lead by example by modelling the behaviour you wish to see. I have been speaking about bullying in the classroom. But it should be clear that these principles could be applied anywhere and to any workplace. We as adults have to be careful that we do not become bullies. By following the simple principles of doing what we can to help those around us to get their needs met, we create an environment that is to everyone’s benefit and will reduce the incidence of bullying and the damage that goes along with it. Our impact is stronger when we work together. Discover how you can play your part … https://www.humangivens.com/2020/11/06/anti-bullying-week/