What should you do when you see Bullying?

It’s not easy to take a stand against bullying. It takes a lot of courage.

However, there is always something we can do when we see others being bullied. We should try to be an Upstander instead of a Bystander. An Upstander, takes action against bullying. A Bystander does nothing.

Here are some ways that we can be an Upstander:

1. Get There First - Sometimes we can see things before they happen. When this happens, you get the target to go with us before the bully can get there.

2. Step in and Take Charge - If you see someone being bullied, you can “Step In and Take Charge”. You can walk up to a bully and say, “You are bullying by name-calling. Please stop it right now. It’s not very nice and nobody likes it.”

3. Distract and Redirect - If you are not comfortable confronting the bully, you can “Distract and Redirect”. You could walk up to a bully, pretend that you don’t notice what is going on and say, “hi, that is a cool shirt.” Then start to walk off with the other person and say, "I have something I want to show you.”

4. Leave and Report - If you are not comfortable confronting OR interrupting the bully, you can “Leave and Report”. If you see a bully calling someone names in front of a crowd, you can leave the scene and report it to someone who has the authority to do something about it.

Reporting is NOT tattling. Reporting is letting someone who can help know that you (or another person) are being treated in a disrespectful manner. Reaching out for help will take the bully’s power away.

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REASONS YOUR CHILD NEEDS MARTIAL ARTS:

1) Martial Arts Training Builds Confidence:

By learning how to protect themselves, your children will develop confidence in their ability to handle life’s challenges. In turn, their improved confidence will give them the courage to say “no” to negative influences.

2) Martial Arts Training Increases Focus:

We will help your child improve their focus by giving them clear goals and showing them how to reach those goals through hard work and consistency. (Of course, they won’t realize they’re learning focus because our classes are so much fun! But keep that to yourself – it’ll be our little secret!)

3) Martial Arts Training Develops Self-Control:

Kids learn self-control in the martial arts by learning how important it is to have respect, both for themselves and for others. Martial arts training teaches that in order to get respect, you first have to give it. Once your child learns this important lesson, their self-control will naturally increase.

4) Martial Arts Training Instills Discipline:

Discipline is “doing what you must do, when you have to do it, whether you feel like it or not.” Discipline is desperately needed in all areas of life at all ages, from grade school student to adult. The demanding exercises of martial arts training will give your child a vehicle to develop this crucial life skill.

5) Martial Arts Training Cultivates Courage:

Life can be difficult, and is quite a struggle at times. The person who is used to overcoming obstacles and has acquired the habit of facing challenges is the one who is more likely to succeed. This is why it is so important to develop that habit of courage early on, so that later in life a person will more easily face those difficulties with a positive outlook and a self-assurance that they can indeed be overcome. Our martial arts kids program provides young children with an excellent opportunity to safely learn how to face those fears and blast right through them.

“Since starting my training for Black Belt, my grades have risen quite a bit. My academic average was an 87 before I started, now it’s a 94. I think that it has rose due to the weekly wisdoms, and the mind-set that the training helped me develop. I also think training has helped me focus more, which helped me in many ways, including school.

I have also improved at my goal setting skills. Before training, I was one of those people who would set a goal, and then do nothing about it. I was a person who would expect it to happen, without effort. Now, I know that I need to work hard to achieve that goal, and that you get the best results when you put your best effort into it, and when you try your best.” – Ben, 7th Grader, Black Belt

Kids need strong role models who set a positive example for them to follow.