“-According to the National Education Association, 160,000 kids miss school every day in the U.S. just to avoid a bully. -According to the U.S. Secret Service, the majority of school shootings have been linked to cases of excessive bullying. -Studies show that adults who were bullied as children have higher levels of depression and lower self-esteem than those who weren’t.”
– Gracie Jiu-Jistu Web site (Bullyproof Program)
Bullying is a major problem; a problem that continues to escalate throughout the United States. Although it’s a vital problem, many are unwilling to step up to remedy it. Children get bullied daily. Teenagers are taking their own lives because they are being bullied. There are many things that can be done to deter bullying. Your children need to become educated by learning the rules of engagement to deal with a physical bullying attack and they need to learn the three “Key” steps to verbal harassment, which will allow them to take control of the situation and end the torment. This step by step plan taught at Miller’s Kenpo Karate provides a layout of what to do, which will build the confidence necessary to handle these difficult situations. www.millersdojo.com.
A good martial arts program will surely advance the odds of your children becoming bullyproof. Do your research and make sure the program is sound and that the instructor actually knows what he/she is talking about. There are many poor instructors out there who brainwash their students into a false thinking pattern leading to devastating results.
Here is an article that was in USA Weekend recently.
Teach problem-solving to prevent bullying
By Sharon Jayson (USA Weekend, 9-19-2010)
Kids and teens (especially boys) who have trouble with solving problems are more at risk of becoming bullies, victims of bullying or both, says a new review of research published in the past 30 years. The analysis of 153 studies, by researchers from Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge and the University of California-Riverside, appeared in the June issue of the journal School Psychology Quarterly. The studies had sample sizes from 44 to as many as 26,430. Ages spanned from 3 to 18. All were from the USA and Europe.
You can help your child avoid becoming a bully or a victim at school by promoting good problem-solving skills. Tips:
Let children figure it out. Your children need to learn how to solve problems themselves, which often means trial and error. You can make suggestions, but don’t swoop in to fix everything immediately.
Play games. Use puzzles and games like checkers or chess to encourage rational problem-solving.
Set and follow rules. When you are firm and fair with punishments, your child will reflect on the consequences of his actions. Talk to your child about why he is being punished and what he can do differently next time.
Our child programs at Miller’s Kenpo Karate teach children problem solving skills. We give them unshakable confidence through realistic and age specific modalities teaching them how to handle bullying type situations from all angles. There are many things children can do to prevent bullying and several things they can do to handle bullying if it happens to them or their friends/family. If you would like to give your child that gift call us at 814-368-3725 or e-mail me at michael.miller@millersdojo.com
About the author:
Michael Miller is an expert in reality based self-defense, personal protection, personal development, and fitness. He has been featured several times in Inside Kung-fu and Black Belt magazines as an authority in his field. He is one of two people on the entire East Coast actively certified through the Gift of Power Foundation—one of the top organizations for self-defense and personal safety—created by one of Miller’s instructors Dave Hebler (ex bodyguard to Elvis Presley).