Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, PhD, instructor
Early childhood educators and mental health professionals who work with young children (2 -8 years) must be able to distinguish playful teasing and normal peer conflict from the beginnings of harmful bullying. In this workshop, participants will learn how to identify early signs of bullying, set limits on inappropriate or hurtful behavior, and nurture the development of healthy friendships and positive conflict resolution. Focus will be placed on the role of empathy and how to create an environment that encourages empathic and pro-social behavior for all children while supporting those who may be at higher risk for friendship or peer group problems. The workshop will also review guidelines that can help reduce “cyberbullying” later in childhood and adolescence.
Participants will be able to:
1. Identify the three defining characteristics of bullying
2. Describe the most common qualities of children who bully often
3. Explain the importance of positive relationships with adults in the development of empathy
4. Describe group values/rules that promote the learning of prosocial behaviors
5. Generate at least three activities they could use in their group to encourage the learning of prosocial behaviors
6. Identify guidelines for deciding when to intervene when children are struggling, and when to let children “work it out” on their own
7. Generate at least 3 strategies for helping children who are struggling with: taking turns; aggressive behavior; teasing; and social exclusion
8. Discuss different ways of helping children “make up”, e.g, repair rifts in social relationships
9. Identify children who may have particular challenges with peer behavior
10. Identify 3 strategies for helping challenged children
11. Describe guidelines for working with parents when children are having difficulty with peer relationships
12. Describe 3 major guidelines regarding the adult role as children are introduced to the “virtual world” of computers, cellphones, etc., that will reduce the later risk of “cyberbullying”
Program Code: BB41
4 CE Credits/4 PDPs/0.4 CEU | Fee: $80.00
Location: at MSPP/Freedman Center, Newton
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience working with families and educators. She leads workshops and support groups for the Freedman Center/MSPP in both community and corporate settings. She is an Adjunct Faculty member at MSPP.