In addition to the previous article I wrote on bullying and how it affects the student’s self-esteem, I’ll be sharing with you practical steps every teacher should take to restore their student’s self-esteem after being bullied. Let’s get right into it.
Right from the beginning, Femi has always been a cheerful student in the class with the enthusiasm of participating in every school activity. But suddenly, Femi’s behavior towards school activities declined. He stopped being the cheerful boy he was and started keeping all mute without attempting to involve in classroom activities.
In addition, Femi mom came to complain to the teacher and school authorities that her child (Femi) who loves coming to school is now always very reluctant and not willing to come to school any longer. He would return home stressed, depressed and looking all tired, Femi’s mom says.
If you are experiencing a similar situation like this as a teacher, here are 5 simple actions you can take immediately to help Femi regain his confidence and self-esteem.
5 ways teachers can help students to restore their self esteem after being bullied
1. Inform the Whole Class About the Bullying Situation
Don’t try to resolve the issue alone. Address the issue in front of the whole class by letting other students know that bullying is bad and will not be tolerated. Also, motivate the students to report anytime they see anyone among them bullying others.
2. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and experiences
Move closer to the student, express your deepest concern, care and empathy to the student.
The student may be embarrassed to discuss bullying or fearful of their teachers’ reactions because they fear being punished. Even though it may be difficult to find that a student is being bullied, it is best advised that you should be compassionate toward the suffering of the student while also remaining hopeful that the issue will be resolved. Be sure to emphasize that everyone has the right to feel secure and respected and that bullying others is wrong and unfair.
3. Assure them that they are not alone in this difficult situation
Make sure the student understands that you will work together to find a solution. Create an environment that is safe and also help them build rapport with other students. This will help the student to make new friends.
4. Provide Support and Spend More Time Together
Spending a lot of time with the student who is being bullied is one of the finest methods to help them grow. The student will have the chance to discuss their challenges with you and will make more happy memories when you offer them your full attention and time. They may view spending time with you as a soothing pastime during trying times and ask for another day as a result.
Students who are aware of their teachers’ appreciation for them typically have stronger self-esteem. Your appreciation of their greatest qualities can boost low self-esteem and counteract the negative effects of bullying.
5. Help them develop a plan for how to deal with bullying
Most times, students frequently don’t have the courage to fight back against bullies. Teach the student how to respond and defend themselves if you see that they are constantly being made fun of for the same things. This can significantly increase their self-esteem because they will feel more independent and empowered.
Conclusion
Students who are being bullied endures it with great suffering. This is why it’s crucial for a teacher to always provide support and be alert to spot the signs of bullying immediately it surfaces.
With these simple actions, teachers can make a significant difference in restoring the students self-esteem and fostering their ability to be confident.