Bullies prey on children who they believe are weaker, smaller, shy or who seem to appear helpless. To help your child deal with a bullying situation, prepare them in advance for what to do when in a "showdown." When dealing with a bully, encourage your child to:
- look the bully straight in the eye
- stand tall
- remain calm during the encounter
- walk away and find adult help
The bully gets reinforcement when a child reacts, and becomes more frustrated when his or her actions are ignored. Practice with your kids so they have the skills they need when facing a scary situation.