Dealing with a younger bully

Try to explain that bullying is behaving in a way that upsets someone and that this can affect other children so badly that they don't want to go to school.

If the bullying involves physical abuse like hitting or kicking, recall a time when your child was upset because they were hurt and explain that this is how someone else feels when they are attacked.

Ask your child how he/she would feel if someone was behaving like this to him/her and what he/she would want to have done about it.

How to deal with a complaint about a younger child

Tell your child calmly what they are accused of and ask for an explanation Ask the head teacher if your child is the only one accused of bullying Ask the head teacher what strategy he/she can introduce to deal with the problem

Explain to the child that if he/she calls people names, deliberately hurts them or takes their friends away this is bullying and not fun Ask if supervision can be stepped up at the time the bullying is said to be happening Ask to be kept informed of further complaints or behaviour problems

Questions you can ask a younger child

Who are your child's friends and what does he/she like about them? What does your child think about the bullying victim? Is your child is afraid of anyone else? There is often a ringleader and children go along with him/her because they are afraid they may be the next target if they don't

Has he/she dropped old friends and got new ones? What games do they play at school and who decides who can join in? Could your child be upset because of a change in family circumstances, separation, bereavement, a new baby? If your child being bullied as well?

Contact us on help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.

Other pages in this sectionBullying policies / Role of the DCSF / Is my child being bullied? / School bus bullies
Contacting the Governors and LEAa / Happy slapping / Internet safety advice for parents / Internet abuse
Is my child a bully? / If your child is bullying others / Do you share blame? / Dealing with an older bully
Teacher bullying / Home schooling / Bullying in sport / Parents' panel - Have your say
Who can help on racism / Parents' survey results / Moving your child to a new school / Pupils' survey results
Taking legal action / Bullying outside school / Independent and private schools / Parents' problem page
Model letters to help your complaint / National Bullying Survey 2006 / Cyber bullying introduction / Dangerous websites
Mobile phone problems / Practical help with racism / Dealing with racism / Internet scams
How does bullying make a child feel? / Dealing with a younger bully / Teachers' survey results / Adults' survey results
Contacting the school / Access to pupil records