Leaving your kids at day care may be necessary, but, as a parent, you may still worry about them getting bullied. It’s a problem that has been around forever, but there are steps you can take to ensure your young children will stay safer when they’re away from you. These tips will help your kids stay safe from bullies every day.

How You Prevent Your Children From Being Bullied at Day Care or in School

1. Open the Lines of Communication

Your children aren’t going to tell you about everything that’s happening in the day care center, or at school. It’s important to communicate as openly as possible and let your kids know that they can talk to you about any problems they may be having with other children. When you present yourself as a supportive parent and show your willingness to listen, your kids will be more willing to open up to you about incidences of bullying.

2. Keep an Eye on Online Activity

Bullying won’t just occur in day care, so it’s necessary to watch out for bullies in other places. Cyberbullying is a growing problem that affects children of all ages, so you should always be monitoring your kids’ activities on their electronic devices. You can keep tighter control over what your child is exposed to on the internet by regulating usage time and by keeping the computer in a public area. They should not have access to the internet in bedrooms and other private rooms.

3. Set a Better Example 

You can help yourself and set a good example for your kids by standing up to bullies in your own life. While adult bullies may use different tactics than the bullies in child care facilities, the result is still the same. Try to remember that your children are watching you, so standing up to an aggressive co-worker or neighbor will teach them to be more assertive in school. Show your kids how to speak up for themselves without disrespecting the other person.

4. Promote Better Social Skills

Children with poorly developed social skills make tempting targets for bullies who are looking for more attention. You can help your children feel more comfortable in social settings by role-playing at home to explore different social situations. Additionally, you can introduce your kids to other children in your neighborhood, or you can arrange frequent play dates. Encouraging more social interactions will help your kids develop better communication skills.

The specific day care facility you use will also make a difference in the experiences your children will have with other kids. Located in Ferguson, MO, Lil Smarties Learning Centers employs compassionate and dedicated childcare professionals who strive to provide a positive experience for every child. They take children up to 13 years of age and offer small classes that ensure every child gets the attention they need. To learn more, you can visit their website, or you can call (314) 473-1233 to sign your children up.