Bullying can affect diverse students differently than other students. Based on growing research, we know that Black and Hispanic youth who are bullied are more likely to have their grades suffer compared to their white peers. This Black History Month and beyond, schools and communities can practice and encourage respect for diversity. Respecting diversity is key to building a safe, connected, and supportive environmentfor youth of all identities and helps prevent bullying.
How You Can Create an Environment that Promotes Respect
Caregivers, schools, and communities can all work together to build supportive environments. When peers and adults encourage and model a respectful environment, it helps all students feel safe and accepted. To create an environment that promotes respect, try to:
Teach students about different cultures and religions to discourage stereotypes.
Model the behaviors you want to see from kids. When adults treat others with respect, they show the kids in their lives that there is no place for bullying.
Reward students who show respectful behavior. Try to affirm good behavior four to five times for every one criticism of bad behavior.
Teach students about the importance of civil behavior and how it can help them build positive social connections.
Build peer support programs. These programs help students learn from each other and form friendships.
Work with students to create ground rules. Giving students a role can help them set their own climate of respect and responsibility.
Support from peers and adults can make a big impact on students. When adults create an environment that promotes respect for all students, they send the message that bullying is not okay. By working together to make all youth feel safe and secure, we can do our part to prevent and stop bullying.
