Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better.
According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported that they were bullied during the school year and 14.8% of high school students in the United States have reported that they were bullied online.
The consequences of bullying can be devastating. Victims are more likely to experience a decrease in their academic performance, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems.
Being that bullying is such a rampant problem in the United States, children need to be presented with methods that will teach them how to combat being the victim of the name calling, teasing, and harassment that are associated with bullying behavior.
How can kids avoid becoming the victim of a bully?
Here are some tips that can be highly effective.
1. Communicate Confidence
Typically, bullies tend to prey on those who appear to lack confidence and who are unsure of themselves. If a bully sees that someone is lacking confidence, he or she is more likely to target that individual and harass that person.
Being confident is one of the most effective ways to avoid being bullied. Kids need to have inner confidence, and they need to be able to project that confidence outward.
Parents can help build their children’s confidence by building them up and supporting them. When children know that they are valued, they automatically have confidence. Kids can exude their inner confidence by standing tall, making eye contact, being friendly and taking pride in their appearance.
2. Gain the Support of Friends
One or two great friends is worth more than 100 fair-weather friends. This is especially true if someone wants to avoid being bullied.
Kids should pick their friends wisely, and should gather their support. Remaining in contact with those friends – walking down the school halls with them, sitting with them on the bus, or eating with them in the cafeteria – will prevent a bully from targeting a child. Typically, bullies tend to take aim at children who are ‘loners.’ Support from friends is a highly powerful force against bullies.
3. Stand Up for Yourself
If a bully does start to attack, a child should not only know that it is OK to stand up for him- or herself, but that standing up must be done.
If a child encounters someone who is saying or doing hurtful things, that child should exert his or her inner confidence, stand tall, look the bully in the eye and tell him or her to stop it. Once the child tells the bully to stop, he or she should walk away and move on. Letting the bully see that he or she has impacted the victim will only make him or her feel successful, which will make him or her want to try again.
Kids have the power to stop bullies, and martial arts help them find that power. By following these tips, children can avoid being the victim of such cruel behavior and avoid the lasting consequences of bullying.
Hopefully, you found this type of information useful.
Thank you ahead of time, for not giving up on your future Black Belt Leaders.
I know that they’ll really appreciate it later in life.
To learn more about the powerful Life Skill childhood development program that uses martial arts as the vehicle for growth, or to get your child started at our Millbury location, click the button below:
Life Skill Martial Arts
322 Millbury Avenue
Millbury, MA 01527
https://www.lifeskillma.com
Stan Tabor is a 6th-degree black belt and has been training in martial arts since 1972. He is the founder of the Life Skill curriculum and association. His goal is to build a future for the next generation of the Life Skill Instructors to use martial arts as a vehicle to teach life skills that develop children physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
ABOUT LIFE SKILL
Life Skill Martial Arts is conveniently located in Millbury Massachusetts. Our academy provides high quality martial arts training classes to the residents of Millbury , Worcester , Grafton , Shrewsbury, Auburn and the surrounding areas, including Sutton , Uxbridge , and Northbridge.
We have a few simple goals here. However, we put 110% of our effort into achieving them. Life Skill Martial Arts Millbury helps children to build these good habits that extend to success at home and school everyday. In short, these goals have but one purpose: Provide classes that are results-driven, while at the same time fun!
Life Skill Martial Arts is NOT just another Karate School! We teach Personal Development to children using martial arts as a vehicle. Our goal is to instill the habits and skills of: Discipline – Belief – Communication – Respect – Self Esteem – Honesty.
Check out our facebook page: http://bit.ly/LifeSkillfb
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https://www.lifeskillma.com
Millbury Martial Arts kicks butt! They have a great group of people there, with an awesome school culture. It's a really fun place to learn martial arts at any level, and improve your skillz!
Millbury martial arts has significantly impacted my life for more then 20 years. As a child I was shy and had low self esteem. Through the training at Millbury martial arts, I became a strong self confident person who is able to pursue my dream of a graduate degree.
This school offers a wide range of martial arts for children and adults taught by instructors who are dedicated to their art and who are continually expanding their teaching methods and personal skill levels. They have a depth of knowledge and are open to sharing. The atmosphere is supportive and students are respectful and helpful of each other regardless of skill level or age. You compete only with yourself!
My four year old son is thoroughly embracing his training. He is eager to participate in class. I really enjoy that us parents are encouraged to get right on the floor with our kids as well.
I have been going to the school since 2009. Words can't describe the changes that I have seen in my self, not only physically but mentally. Thank you to everyone at life skill because it's just as much the people that go there that makes it great as it is the classes that are taught.
It has been said that the true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at anytime, and to teach them in a way that they will be useful in all things. I have found this at Life Skills Martial Arts. The life skills learned are invaluable in becoming a true martial artist not just another fighter who practices martial arts.
Words can't describe this school. The instructors are knowledgable in everything they do. Master Tabor makes you feel like you belong. Not to mention the instructors Mr. Keenan, Mr. Moy and Mr. Morin. I have learned so much in each class I trained in, kungfu, taiji and self defense. The school has so much pride and you can just tell from the atmosphere and how the school looks. The koi pond and the garden you can train in just makes you in awe and feel good about yourself! This is awesome place to train. My only disappointment is that I never found the school earlier. Real authentic Taiji, kung-fu and self-defense!!!!
Its been many years since i attended classes here. My experience i am happy to say, was life changing. I have learned so much more than self defense and discipline from this school. Being a part of this family gave me the strength to overcome many obstacles in life. The instructors have so much to offer and they give endless support. I made some amazing friends here too. Even though it has been such a long time since my last trip to the school, i find my thoughts always returning to it. It has been a very big part in my life. I am very grateful for my time, and am planning on coming back with my two children once they are old enough to take lessons!
Our children started the program first back in July and my wife and I subsequently began taking classes in late August....what a positive impact it has had on our health and well-being! Our son and daughter are learning far more than a martial art rich in history and traditions... they are learning skills that they use each and every day. My wife and I have become healthier in mind, body, and spirit. The camaraderie with our fellow students is a bond that is as strong as community and those relationships transcend the studio.
The benefits in health and happiness alone are worth giving Life Skills Martial Arts a try.
Our 4 year old has been attending for 9 months now and he has a blast! What we love the most is the positive atmosphere. There is not a competition with anyone but yourself. Parents cheer on each other’s children and the students of the class encourage and support one another. It is a beautiful thing and we are so happy our son is a part of it! The instructors are very supportive and the life skills that they teach are fantastic. Our son has gained more confidence and has so much fun. We are very happy we chose Life Skills Martial Arts for our son and highly recommend it!
Going to Life Skills Martial Arts will always be one of the best decisions i ever made. It has helped me to not only learn how to defend myself and my family if it came down to that but it has helped me to go way outside my comfort level to do things i never thought in a million years i would do. I have severe social anxiety and usually never liked being in large groups, being a leader, or even not taking my self seriously when i screwed something up. But when i go to class, i feel like i am with family and i can do all those things without any anxiety. well maybe a little :).
One of the best decisions for my son was to sign him up here. He's become healthier, gained more confidence, learned respect and self esteem. This was originally a Christmas present and now my 10 year old says he's "committed to becoming a black belt" and would like this again for Christmas instead of a bunch of"stuff". After a year (actually within a month), I realized the monthly cost isn't just for kung fu training. It's truly training him"life skills" that he can use in every aspect of life for a lifetime and that is priceless.