{"id":21337,"date":"2023-10-12T16:07:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T20:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/positiveexperience.org\/?p=21337"},"modified":"2025-12-18T11:14:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:14:22","slug":"bullying-prevention-promotes-positive-childhood-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/positiveexperience.org\/blog\/bullying-prevention-promotes-positive-childhood-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing bullying can help promote positive childhood experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The HOPE framework can help prevent bullying<\/span><\/h2>\n

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal of this month is to prevent bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Bullying affects both the person who is experiencing the bullying and those who are engaging in bullying behavior<\/a>. It can block access to the Four Building Blocks of HOPE<\/a>, which the HOPE framework centers around. These Building Blocks, or key types of positive childhood experiences<\/a> (PCEs) are safe and supportive relationships that are critical for children to develop into healthy, resilient adults; safe, stable, equitable environments to live, learn, and play; opportunities for social and civic engagement to develop a sense of belonging; and opportunities for emotional growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Special Olympics shares<\/a> that 20% of children from 12-18 experience bullying, and children with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to get bullied. Children who experience bullying have higher risk levels for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and lower academic performance. The Building Blocks can prevent and reduce the effects of bullying. And PCEs provide a source of hope in children\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

PCEs prevent bullying by promoting resilience, belonging, and a sense of safety among children and youth. The Building Blocks are a way to promote PCEs and a way for children and youth to get the support they need. Promoting PCEs in schools, aftercare programs, community center, and in the home, can help prevent bullying before it starts.<\/p>\n

If bullying is happening already, supporting children starts with adults who should take reports of bullying that they receive seriously and\/or report bullying to the right authorities themselves. PACER\u2019s National Bullying Prevention Center<\/a> offers trainings and other resources to prevent or stop bullying. The HOPE National Resource Center also has many trainings and offers technical assistance<\/a> to help organizations and educational systems add PCEs and the HOPE framework into their everyday work with children and youth.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Each Building Block can help prevent bullying:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row remove_bottom_col_margin=”true”][vc_column]

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Relationships<\/h3>\n

Build relationships with children and youth where they feel they can be their genuine selves. This includes children and youth who engage in bullying behaviors.<\/p>\n

Environment<\/h3>\n

Provide safe spaces where children are loved and supported. This can be at home, a friend\u2019s house, in an after-school program, or at school. Having spaces where children and youth feel safe is core to their ability to heal and grow into healthy and resilient adults.<\/p>\n

Engagement<\/h3>\n

Promote opportunities for children and youth to be involved in after-school programs or community activities where they can play a role in something bigger than themselves. This can discourage bullying behaviors because being a part of a team creates a sense of mattering and belonging.<\/p>\n

Emotional Growth<\/h3>\n

When children and youth are supported in their efforts to report bullying and stand up for themselves, they learn that there is a community of people who are there for them. This promotes self-worth, self-confidence, and a sense that they have control of the things in their lives.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row remove_bottom_col_margin=”true”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1697136682956{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]\n

Resources<\/h2>\n