Kendra Rogers says her 5-year-old daughter Nova has always had a strong personality. But she never thought it would cause problems with other kids.
"Not being very nice to some of her friends... not wanting to share her toys."
Once the Rogers' were aware of the issue, they immediately began working with their daughter... recognizing that time was of the essence.
"What seemed so innocent before is a kid that's really turned into a bully later."
The Rogers sat down with Nova and talked about how her actions were making others feel. They also spoke with other parents at her preschool and the teacher to make sure everyone was working to help the kids get along.
"We had to equip her with the tools and the skills she needed to be more effective in how she was expressing those feelings."
Experts say the Rogers did exactly what parents in their situation should. Lynette Ratzlaff is a child care expert. She says there are some simple ways parents can prevent and deal with behavior issues. Perhaps the most important... setting a good example... especially in a difficult situation.
"They need to speak about those feelings express those but also demonstrate the appropriate way to act when it happens."
In addition to 'showing' kids how to act, Ratzlaff says parents should also talk about emotions. Reading time can be a prefect opportunity.
"When you're reading your children's book, talk about how children are feeling, your child is feeling and give them the language to express themselves and talk about it."
Whether it's through books, life experiences, or just a casual conversation... Ratzlaff says parents should spend plenty of time making sure their child is expressing their feelings and dealing with problems in a healthy way.
If you'd like more information on preschool bullying and what to look for ... we have a link on our website to an online guide. Just go to KSEE24.com and click on Newslinks. We also have a reading list of books that can help you talk with your child about emotions.
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