2. Take practical steps to ensure your child’s safety
It is important to take action to keep your child safe, but remember that bullying usually involves other children, so it is best to handle the situation calmly and rationally. Overreacting may unintentionally make things worse or add to your child’s stress.
Modeling a calm approach also teaches your child how to handle difficult situations. Inform a teacher or another trusted adult, and work together to make specific arrangements to ensure your child is supervised during vulnerable moments such as when the bullying occurs.
3. Prepare….
It is helpful to talk with your child about what they can do if they encounter bullying. This helps to give them the tools to handle difficult situations confidently even before they happen. Discuss practical strategies, such as which places or individuals to avoid, how to respond if confronted, which adults to seek for help, and even what to say.
While it may be unrealistic to expect your child to stay perfectly calm during these moments, preparing them in advance can help reduce fear and confusion and give them a sense of control.
4. ….and empower your child
Confidence goes hand-in-hand with readiness. When a child feels assured in themselves, they are better able to remove themselves from difficult situations and stand up for themselves in non-physical ways. Bullies are also less likely to target children who appear confident, as they sense they cannot easily be intimidated.
One of the best ways to build this confidence is by encouraging your child to participate in activities they enjoy or excel at. This could be sports, arts, music, or any other extracurricular pursuits. Excelling in areas they like helps reinforce their sense of self and strengthens their overall confidence, which can make a big difference in coping with bullying.
5. Provide ample affirmation
Bullying can affect a child not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Your child may wonder, either aloud or in their own mind, “Why me? Is there something wrong with me?” It is important not to let these experiences grow into a lasting trauma.
Regularly provide positive affirmations and reassurance. Remind your child that bullying reflects the bully’s own insecurities and has nothing to do with them. This is especially important for children with dyslexia, who may be targeted simply because they are perceived as different or misunderstood by their peers. Helping your child understand this can protect their self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
If your child is a victim of bullying…
Consider reaching out to your child’s school counsellor to help monitor their emotional well-being and behaviour. School counsellors can also teach strategies to support your child’s social and emotional needs. If your child feels more comfortable speaking to someone outside of school, professional counselling would also be helpful.
If your child is a bully…
One of the wonderful things about children is their ability to learn and grow. As parents and caregivers, we can identify instances of bullying and help guide children to change disruptive behaviours early. This can be done by encouraging values such as openness and understanding, and by going beyond simple tolerance to fostering genuine empathy.
In all, bullying can have a lasting impact on a child’s confidence and wellbeing, but with the right guidance and support, children can learn to cope and grow stronger.
If you are concerned about your child’s experiences, whether they are being bullied or exhibiting bullying behaviour, consider seeking a consultation with our registered psychologists at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). Our psychologists can help you understand your child’s needs and recommend strategies to support their social and emotional development.
Also, look out for our Emotional Literacy Workshops and Social Skills Programs conducted by our psychologists, designed to help children build self-awareness, empathy, and practical strategies to navigate social situations. These workshops can prepare children to handle challenges confidently and reduce the likelihood of bullying. Consider enrolling your child to help them develop strong social and emotional skills in a supportive environment.
References
Boyes, M. E., Leitão, S., Claessen, M., Badcock, N. A., & Nayton, M. (2019). Correlates of externalising and internalising problems in children with dyslexia: An analysis of data from clinical casefiles. The Australian Psychological Society, 55 (1), 62-72.
Community Health Assessment Team (November 2017) Chat Website Resource List. https://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg/uploadedFiles/Content/Getting_Help/Resources_For_Youths.pdf
Humphrey, N. (2002). Self-concept and self-esteem in developmental dyslexia: Implications for theory and practice. Self-Concept Research: Driving International Research Agendas, 1-9.
