Bullying Daycare, photo by Clarity
Bullying is an issue in many daycare center and preschool environments. One aspect of daycare jobs includes keeping children safe and behavioral issues in check. In a 3-part interview, Shannon Spence, owner of Tutor Doctor of Denver, describes the problem of bullies in daycare centers and explains how educators and parents can handle the situation.
OwnADaycare: Please describe bullying: Does bullying occur in preschools and daycare facilities? How large is the problem?
Shannon Spence: Bullying is any form of verbal or physical abuse inflicted on one child from another. Unfortunately bullying can occur in children as young as 3 years old. At the age of 3 a child has the cognitive ability to feel empathy so they know when their actions hurt others.
OwnADaycare: How bad can the bullying be in the children under 5? Why does it occur?
Shannon Spence: Bullying in preschoolers can take the form of physical aggression such as hitting, pinching or biting, or verbal threats like teasing or name calling. Excluding someone from a game or play because they do not “fit in” can also be considered bullying. Some bullies are bullied themselves. Children at the preschool age are very impressionable and will copy any behavior they see. So if a child is being bullied by a parent, sibling or friend they will likely copy the behavior. Other children bully classmates to get attention. Often the only time a child gets attention is if they act out. They may not be getting enough positive attention in their lives so bullying other children fulfills their need for attention even though it’s negative.
OwnADaycare: How can adults recognize a bully? How can adults recognize that a child is being bullied?
Shannon Spence: Grabbing a toy away from a friend or hitting another child is commonplace in a classroom with 3 and 4 yr olds, as they learn how to socialize. However, the “repeat offender” will become apparent pretty quickly. Sneaky or suspicious behavior can also be a sign of bullying. If a child is talking in a low voice to another and watching for a teacher at the same time, a red flag should go up. Watch for signs on the playground or during free play as a bully may also recruit others to join them to gang up on or exclude another child. Words like “Our team is only for big kids so you can’t be on our team” can be very hurtful.
Shannon Spence is a former preschool teacher, mother of two and owns and runs a local Tutor Doctor business, with her husband Rob. She has seen bullying first hand in the preschool environment and has some insight into how to deal with the situation.
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