So our Primary School has a “Zero Tolerance for Bullying” Policy. However that doesn’t seem to mean what you think…
We have a child in our grade who is physically much bigger than everyone who is constantly aggressive, belittling etc he assaults children when he gets out in games - and by that I mean punches to the face.
He has targeted quite a few different children now pretty relentlessly. However no repercussions.
Is it ok to allow your child to exclude him from play? Not obviously but do they have the right to say no actually I’d prefer you not play.. or does that make my son as bad as the aggressor.
I’m so conflicted as adults we can pick and choose whom we spend time with however in schools they push inclusiveness which I whole heartedly support mind you. However do we teach our children to accept poor behaviour towards them??
5 Replies
I think saying something like "You can play but we have no hurting rule, if you hurt someone on purpose you're not allowed to play again". This gives the child something to be "good" for and it also gives the kid a reason if he is excluded. So instead of thinking to himself, they are so mean for not letting me play, he can think I can't play with them any more because I stuffed up. It also looks better if he goes to the teacher saying they won't let me play, your son will be able to say well we did but he hit someone so we didn't let him play any more. They can't punish your son for that as then they would need to explain why they haven't punished the other kid for hitting.
I love this idea thank you.
It’s fine but the school should have the child in supervised play so that the children can all play in safety.
Very few schools actually have a good handle on bullying. I for one am so tired of hearing "we have a zero tolerance for bullying" but seeing no action that actually puts that into practice.
The school should be supporting this young lad by providing supervision and teaching him how to integrate into the play of other children so it doesn't lead to face punches!
They're letting him and the other children down.
My kids primary school was a bit useless like this, I've always taught my kids to be accepting and inclusive but their personal safety comes first. So if that means telling a kid they can't play because the school won't step in - I'm good with that.
100%. Your child should be saying no we do not want to play with you because you hit me. I don't want to be friends with you because you do hands on.
And then I'd touch base with the teacher and say I have given my child the go ahead to not play with this student due to the constant physical abuse he displays. You can even speak with the principal/assistant principal to voice your concerns.