Parents and teachers are often unaware of the severity of bullying and the devastating consequences it can have. Research suggests that a systemic approach is needed to address behaviors associated with bullying prevention.
Social and emotional learning programs (SRS) can be an effective way to reduce the risk of bullying.
- SEL promotes skills.
- Behaviors.
- Attitudes.
- And environmental factors that are incompatible with bullying and other forms of negative interactions between colleagues.
Social and emotional learning programs have been shown to be an effective component of comprehensive bullying prevention interventions, as well as those that address other problems, such as substance abuse.
SEL programs have also proven effective in improving student skills, reducing problematic behaviors, and increasing academic performance.
“Socio-emotional learning is a structured way to improve a wide range of student social and emotional skills and influence bullying in individual and peer schools. “Smith and Low (2013).
Children and adolescents use bullying because it is a strategy with which they feel that they are satisfying their needs for social acceptance, self-confidence, respect and security.
Thus, it is often the co-workers themselves who are strengthened so that verbal and physical aggression can be maintained over time.
In addition, studies show that persecuted children and young people can resort to similar strategies, applying the same behaviors in the relationships in which they are in a dominant position (e. g. with younger siblings).
As a result, harassment can become a vicious cycle
On the other hand, if we can encourage children and adolescents to communicate early and clearly what is really happening to them, the likelihood of being able to intervene when the problem begins will be much greater.
Research indicates that it cannot thrive in a safe and humane learning environment characterized by:
Students who receive a good emotional education not only show interest and concern for others, but also build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and face difficult social situations constructively.
The goal of social and emotional learning programs is to achieve these goals, in fact research indicates that it is effective in this regard.
Compared to control groups, students participating in SEL programs show significant gains in their social and emotional skills.
In addition, they also show higher levels of prosocial behavior and more school-friendly attitudes, as well as other and better academic outcomes.
These results help ensure that social and emotional learning programming is associated with multiple positive benefits, so its implementation and development create educational and social conditions that make bullying much less likely.
Bullying and other forms of social cruelty in schools will not be eradicated solely through anti-bullying campaigns. To change the culture of bullying and aggression, schools must implement teachings that offer an alternative.
Preventing bullying in schools begins by encouraging students to talk about their feelings in safe and helpful language.
Social skills development does not arise from occasional conversations or meetings, even after a case of bullying has attracted media attention. Social and emotional education must be something everyday, learned daily.
Research shows that current bullying prevention programs are not working; most are ineffective because they address the symptoms of bullying, not the underlying causes, which probably include a lack of emotional intelligence, as well as the skills to understand, communicate, and regulate feelings.
Emotional intelligence should be a central element of bullying prevention efforts, from preschool through high school; however, the development of emotional intelligence is often absent from anti-bullying strategies.
What children and young people need is an emotional intelligence education, which will prevent them from trying to attack their colleagues as a form of emotional liberation.
For times when bullying is inevitable, it will help both victims and viewers develop the skills they need to control fear and anxiety, communicate their needs, and gain support.
The positive side of all this is that emotional intelligence can be taught, as can math or reading, can be easily integrated into the academic curriculum and can positively transform the school climate.