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[quote=Anonymous]Relational aggression seems to be most common. The schools have an odd way of handling bullying. They seem to be very vigilant about physical interaction. Kids are not allowed to play tag on the playground for example. However, they don't seem to do much in the early years about the type of bullying that girls do such as excluding other kids on the playground...we're all playing but you can't play with anyone or teasing and name calling.

My DD is pretty social but I credit her preschool-K with instilling a strong sense of empathy for others. She was upset that other girls and one girl in particular were always picking on one girl and teasing her. I actually spoke with the teacher who was aware of the situation, it was a problem but said there wasn't much that could be done at recess as teachers and parent volunteers don't intervene unless there are physical issues.

This never would have continued at our preK-K school. They viewed these situations as opportunities to teach the kids who were the aggressors how to be empathic. In public school, it seems that the focus is on how to make the victims just deal with it. This is very sad IMO because in the early elementary ages I don't think kids are inherently mean or bad. The bullies seem to all have social problems of their own and they are trying to find a way to fit in and find friends too. Unfortunately, they are learning that they get more power and social status by excluding or belittling others. If no one intervenes, this just becomes their standard behavior. Its wrong to say its just a parental issue because these situations come up in a group environment at school not at home or with one of two kids coming over to play. IMO the schools have a responsibility to deal effectively with these situation in way that helps both the bully and the victim. [/quote]

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