4 Tips to Deal with Bullying at School

One in five children with eczema are bullied at school per a recent study by the National Eczema Association (NEA). Eczema impacts children and can take an emotional toll on their self-esteem and mood. Many children feel isolated and uncomfortable discussing their condition to their classmates, teachers, and friends. Because education on eczema is often overlooked at school, children have a lack of understanding and empathy for their classmates. This singling out is happening both at school and virtually (cyberbullying), and it’s important to create a positive and nurturing environment for children If your child has been bullied at school or is being cyber bullied, here are 5 tips to help:  

• Talk about it openly.
  
  Involve as many people who are as supportive as possible. Your child will receive overwhelming encouragement from the support of peers, friends, teachers, and family members. As a parent, my little one finds it difficult to tell me who bullied him and why it happened for fear of causing the other child to get in trouble. Talking about it openly and creating that environment of openness has allowed us to pass this barrier.

• Help model ways to communicate with those around you who are teasing or insensitive.
  
  It’s always recommended to confront those who are bullies. Parents should get involved and talk to teachers and other parents to help stop bad behavior. Most importantly, one should always model empathy. Research shown from Psychology Today reveals that empathy is in fact a skill that can be taught, just like learning how to ride a bike. 

• Educate. Educate. Educate.
  
  For daycare operators and school administrators that don’t have the discussion about how everyone’s skin is different, needs to be informed with the right tools so that they can communicate this to their students. Download a copy of the NEA’s Tools for School here: https://nationaleczema.org/school/.

• Gentle and Comforting Skincare.
  
  Using the right skincare toolkit to keep skin hydrated and nourished, and most importantly, keep children confident about their skin. Practicing a moisturizing routine that works for them helps to keep skin healthy.

Source: https://nationaleczema.org/children-with-eczema-experience-bullying/
Source: https://nationaleczema.org/bullying-and-self-esteem-in-kids/
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201810/can-empathy-be-taught