Practice strategies for childhood bullying

This course is for all practitioners who work directly with children. It recognises the high prevalence of bullying in the lives of children and provides practical strategies to support their mental health and wellbeing.

This course will support practitioners to:

• explore with a child their experience of bullying behaviour and how it has impacted them
• help children who have experienced bullying behaviour to elevate their positive connections and sense of self
• support children who experience bullying to make meaning of the bullying behaviour and move away from feelings of self-blame
• work with a child experiencing bullying behaviour to build their support team
• respond to protest from children who have been engaging in bullying behaviour
• help children who engage in bullying behaviour identify their values and preferences for how they want to interact with others and uncover contrasts between these and their actions in a non-shaming way
• have conversations with children who engage in bullying behaviour about how they would like to continue to show their true colours when interacting with others.

It is estimated that this course will take you approximately 4 hours to complete, including reading materials and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed:

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later.
• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy.
• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263.

For the purposes of this course, the term parent encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child, as well as individuals who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. It incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths and is a facet of child development.¹

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.²

'Social and emotional wellbeing’ is also used by some people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, who may have differing concepts of mental health and mental illness.³

Bullying involvement refers to a child’s experience with childhood bullying, whether as a child who is experiencing bullying behaviour or as a child who engages in bullying behaviour.

This course draws on the latest research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of our child and family partners. We’d like to thank the professionals and families who played an integral role in shaping this course, generously offering their time, wisdom and unique perspectives.

Watch the following video for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.