How is my child doing at school? What does it get up to?

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If you suspect that your son is being bullied, it is very helpful to discuss the issue with his teacher. Do not try to pressure your child into having to tell the teacher about his problems. He may feel ashamed about what he has experienced, or he could be anxious to avoid being called a snitch. All these things could make your child’s emotional burden even worse. Bullying is often hidden and even the teachers may only have vague suspicions. However, when you discuss your concerns with the teacher, a clearer picture of the situation is likely to emerge. If the teacher confirms that John is often alone, separated from the group, or prefers to stay in the classroom during break time, then it is worth to follow up with more precise questions:

• Does the class groan as soon as John says something in class?
• Do the other students roll their eyes?
• Are his articulations in class frequently met with derogative comments or even ridicule by others?

Be careful not to voice accusations against the teacher. Bullying is something that often occurs outside the teacher’s sphere of influence.

If the teacher has observed this kind of behavior by the classmates towards your child, then the next step should be a meeting together with your child. Advice on how to arrange such a meeting can be found here.