Bully Season = Bully Prevention

With children now in school it is an ideal time to discuss Bullying. What is it? How do you recognize it? How do you avoid it? And as a last resort how do you defend against it?

Bullying can happen anywhere and at anytime. In school, on the bus, in the playground, over a friend’s house, on the internet and on Facebook. Bullies can be any age. The can be individuals and groups. They can be male and females alike. Bullies usually have a lack of self-confidence in themselves and look for weaker people to push around to give them a sense of power. Ignorance and fear is another ingredient to bullying. When people do not understand the differences in others they become afraid and the result of that is being mean and aggressive towards those differences.

Using the R.A.D. system is a great tool in combating Bullies. R.A.D stands for recognize, avoid and defend. Using these 3 steps can help in most Bullying cases.

Step one-Recognize. Being able to recognize what bullies look for is a great way to deter the bullies from the beginning. Since bullies look for weaker people, do not show signs of weakness. Stand up tall and straight, don’t hunch or slouch. Look in peoples’ eyes when you talk to them. Speak in a clear and strong voice. Be confident in your actions.

Step two-Avoid. The first step to avoid a bully is to just ignore it. Name calling and screaming does not hurt you physically. They are just words. By ignoring the words and walking away takes away the aggressive reaction that bullies are looking for. Bullies want a confrontation. The second step to avoid a bully is to use a vocal response such as “Stop” or “Leave me alone”. If this is done a strong and authoritative voice, most bullies will just leave you alone and move on. The third step is to tell someone about the bully. You can tell a teacher, principal, a parent or an adult. Remember you are not being a coward by telling someone about the bully. You are actually demonstrating courage.

Step three-Defend. This is the last resort. However, it may come to this step. If a bully physically tries to hurt or attack you then you must defend yourself. You use your martial arts skills in the most effective way possible. Remember to first try to use techniques that will control or avoid the bully such as pushes, locks, sweeps and throwing techniques. Use your striking and hurting techniques as a last resort since this may cause serious injury and you may become responsible and held accountable for your actions.

Unfortunately Bullying is a real occorance that must be dealt with. By talking about it, making a plan of action and using the R.A.D. principle you will have a greater success of overcoming bullies.

Mark Russo, Amerikick

AmeriKick is Currently running a promotion:
$99 for 4 weeks of training (2x a week)
Free Uniform, Free Exams and Free Character Development sheets that will help motivate and improve studying and staying focused in school and at home.

www.amerikicksi.com (Staten Island)
www.amerikickbrooklyn.com (Sunset Park and Park Slope)
http://www.amerikickbrooklyn.com (Bay Ridge)

 

Back to School # 1 Activity for Kids and Teens

As the Fall Season approaches, parents are preparing their children for a new school year. A big decision among parents is “What extracurricular activity will I put my child in?” Choices range from seasonal activities such as arts/music classes, sports and so on. The Problem with this is, children begin to get tired, lazy and find excuses not to go the distance and finish. On top of their daily worry of bullies, peer pressure and “too much homework”, it’s very easy to find them falling into depression and lack of motivation. It’s time for a change!

One of many parent’s goals is to keep their children busy. Some parents do not realize that adding a sport or class will only add stress and make it harder for them. Children need an activity that not only keeps them physically healthy but focused and disciplined, inside and outside of the activity. Sports are great for the body, but don’t stress the importance of discipline outside of the sport. Music and art classes allow the child to express themselves and condition their mind, but not their bodies. Karate offers not only physical health, but instills the discipline, respect and focus every child needs to help them in all aspects of life. Focus in school, respect of themselves and their elders, and confidence to help them achieve any and all goals.

Unfortunately more than half of sports start after school begins and finish before school ends.

Often, parents begin to create doubt and excuses as to why they should or should not enroll their kids into a karate program. A majority of all illnesses begin and arrive from stress. Karate teaches how to manage and control stress, anger, anxiety and so much more. All the Doctor visits and medication for treatments for anger management, attention deficit disorder and or hyperactive attention deficit disorder can equal very high bills with sometimes decent results. What is the alternative? Have your child enrolled into a life time of karate training that teaches them how to be a good person, almost stress free, confident, motivated and prepare them for what life has to offer. Many doctors strongly suggest karate as the treatment for many child disorders. It is the #1 natural cure for kids.

Can soccer, baseball, basketball, football and other seasonal sports treat all symptoms? Maybe one or two, then again how long will it last? Karate is not a seasonal Sport! It is a Life Skill. The commitment is only 2 classes a week, thirty minutes to a one hour a class. That’s two hours a week to start. With seven days in a week and twenty four hours in a day, using the excuse “It is not convenient for us to make an effort” is just that…an excuse.

AmeriKick Martial Arts has the best children’s, teen and adult programs. They have multiple locations and they are ready for the “School Season”.

Pick up the phone and call to schedule an appointment to start your child in the best program of their life.