23 Jun 🥺Have you noticed a change in your child’s behaviour and reluctance to go to school? 🤔Wondering if your child is being bullied at school?

In Australia, 7 in 10 children aged 12–13 experienced at least 1 bullying-like behaviour within a year, 1 in 5 Year 4 students experience bullying on a weekly basis, 1 in 4 children aged 8–12 experience unwanted contact and content while online, and 46% of children aged 12–13 who experienced at least 1 bullying-like behaviours within a year also used bullying-like behaviours against another child.😳

One of the most common question that parents ask is “How do I identify bullying?”
😠Bullying is defined by three key features:
1. Bullying involves a misuse of power in a relationship,
2. It is intentional, ongoing and repeated,
3. It involves behaviours that can cause harm.

Children who are bullied or are bullying others may respond and act differently.Your child’s behaviour and mood can change for a variety of reasons. Be alert to the possibility that the change may be related to bullying.
🤔Signs of your child is being bullied includes:
1. You may notice your child doesn’t want to go to school or participate in school activities,
2. Changes their route to school or becomes frightened of walking to school,
3. Drops in academic performance,
4. Changes sleeping or eating patterns,
5. Has frequent tears, anger, mood swings or anxiety,
6. Takes money from home,
7. Has unexplained bruises, cuts or scratches,
8. Loses or brings home damaged belongings or clothes,
9. Asks for extra pocket money or food,
10. Arrives home hungry.

Often children do not report bullying to their parents. This may be because they are afraid of upsetting their parents, feeling ashamed, afraid of making things worse, or worried that they may lose privileges such as access to the internet. 🥺To find out more about how to help your child if they are being bullied, go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/…/attendance…/anti-bullying

If you are concerned about your child’s behaviour, reach out to My Favourite Physio on📱 (02) 9790 4233, or DM us @myfavouritephysio. Together we can stop bullying!💪