Verbal bullying in schools, on playgrounds and in neighborhoods is increasing and continues to be a problem for young children and teens. Name-calling, intimidation and peer pressure have a negative effect on the child’s self-esteem and overall happiness.
Jackie Humans, PhD provides simple and effective alternatives for children who are being bullied and for kids who have friends that are targets of bullying. The author writes from her own experiences with being bullied as a child, as well as her experiences as a parent of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.
With the help of her daughter, Nikki Lee, who illustrated the book, Dr. Humans created a book that is fun and easy to read, while providing kids with real-life strategies to deal with verbal bullying. Dr. Humans says her “intent in writing this book is to show kids lots of ways for dealing with teasing and verbal bullying on their own.”
A Book for Kids, Parents and Teachers
15 Ways to Zap a Bully! is a book that kids can read on their own and find ways that work for them as well as how to help their friends. Illustrated in bright colors and comic-book fashion, the book is easy to follow along, even for the youngest readers. The book is written and illustrated in an engaging, easy to understand way that kids can relate to.
The book is much more than a simple children’s book, as it is a great teaching tool and resource for parents and teachers as well. Whether read in a classroom setting or at home with parents, this book is a must-read for all kids regardless of whether they are targets of bullies or not.
Practice 15 Ways at Home and in the Classroom
Children can read this book themselves, but it is an excellent resource for parents and teachers to work with their children. Have the kids act out and practice the techniques in the book. Take turns being the bully, the bullied and the observer.
Have the kids create a chart of collage expressing ways they can prevent or stop someone from bullying them, how they can help their friends and ways they can prevent being a bully themselves. Encourage the children to follow through and reinforce use of the five Ws presented in the book – who, when, when, where and witnesses.
From A Kid’s Perspective
In reviewing 15 Ways to ZAP a Bully!, I realized that my perspective as a parent and teacher would greatly differ from a child’s point-of-view. What better way to get children’s perspectives than to hand the book over to them and get their views. I did just that and the results were both positive and unique to each child’s own situation. With 15 different methods to choose from, children are sure to find at least one that works for them.
Jonathan* is an 8-year-old male in second grade. He is often in the position of both the bully and the bullied, depending on the situation. When he is in the position of the bully, it is in retaliation towards others who have previously teased, taunted and made fun of him. He is also a follower, finds himself teasing others occasionally only because that is what his friends are doing at the time, and rarely teases others on his own. He is compassionate and caring, always trying to help others, especially when they are at a disadvantage.
After reading the book, Jonathan says, “The book helps me not be scared of bullies now because I know what to do. If someone was bullying me I would go tell an adult. If someone was bullying my friends I would tell the bully to stop and if they didn’t I would tell my friend to come with me and play with me and ignore the bully.” He also said that the five Ws in the book would really help him report a bully and that he can find other ways to deal with bullies instead of being a bully back.
Rachel* is a 10-year-old girl going into fifth grade. She struggles with reading and is below her grade level, compared to other kids in her class. She finds it difficult to make friends and is often the target of teasing on the playground. The most important lessen she learned from the book was that “most bullies like to pick on people that are by themselves so if I have someone with me then bullies won’t pick on me.”
Rachel also learned the importance of being a good friend to others by reporting bullying behavior and helping to protect her friends. “If someone is bullying me then I can yell, “Bully!” and the adult will come and the bully will get in trouble and the bully will stop picking on me. I can also protect my friends from bullies by telling an adult to keep an eye out for the bully so then the bully won’t be mean to my friends or me.”
She found the first method, spying on a bully, to be the most helpful. “If I was spying on a bully that was hurting my friend then I would go tell the principle or adult and if someone was watching me and someone else was bullying me, I would say I have witnesses so you are wrong. I would ask my friends to help watch for bullies and remember the five Ws.”
*The names of minor children have been changed; all other descriptive information and quotes from the children are true and accurate.
Photos ©Malysa Stratton Louk. All rights reserved. Photos may not be copied, borrowed, altered or reproduced in any way, either electronically or in print, without prior written permission from the copyright holder.
Sources:
- “15 Ways to ZAP a Bully!”; Jackie Humans, PhD; 2010.
- Smith Publicity Press Release
- For more information, visit the author’s website at JackieHumans.com.
Malysa Stratton Louk - Malysa Stratton Louk is a freelance writer, journalist & photographer in the Pacific Northwest. View her full profile for more ...
