One in five elementary and high school kids in Canada is involved in bullying at any given time during the school day – as victim, bully or observer. Experts in Canadian Living magazine suggest the following strategies to help reduce your child's chances of being bullied.

• Talk about bullying with your child. Making kids aware of what bullying is will help them know when they've been mistreated

• Teach your child to be assertive. Bullies often target kids who aren't likely to stand up to them or report the incidence. Practise saying "no" and "stop it" in a firm voice and teach them to display confidence through body language.

• If your child recounts an episode of being bullied, stay calm. Thank him or her for sharing the information. Tell your child that what you hear bothers you and then label it.

• Focus on solutions. Ask your child for input on what steps can be taken to make him feel safe, such as using another area of the playground.

• Talk to your child's teacher and principal. Don't assume they're aware of the situation.

Note: Bullying is not restricted to kids. In its October 2007 issue, leading consumer magazine Canadian Living devotes a special report to adult bullying.

By Kathryn Dorrell

Credit: www.newscanada.com