Don't Be an Easy Target

Bullies look for opportunities to get a laugh at another kid’s expense. They look for easy "targets." What’s an easy target? A kid who unknowingly puts himself or herself in a position to get bullied and teased by mean kids who do not care about what they do or how other kids feel. Example: A kid leaves his lunch on a table while he goes up to the lunch line to get a drink. When he gets back his lunch is gone and all the kids at the table are laughing. He made himself an easy target! If he had bought his drink BEFORE he put his lunch down on the table he would not have become an easy target. Think about it – ALWAYS be aware of who is around you and what may happen if you leave yourself open. Some bullying experts disagree with teaching children such common sense strategies for self care. These professionals think any focus at all on teaching a victim of bullying such skills is "legitimizing" the bullying and blaming the victim. I disagree. We teach our children how to take certain measures to prevent being victims of crime when they are by themselves in public settings. Just as we tell our children to stay in lighted areas if out after dark for their personal safety, why would we not do the same for a child under our care at school?