The Ultimate Bullying Quiz

Bullies can intimidate for various reasons, including using physical strength. Bullies can also intimidate due to their social standing, popularity and sense of authority.

The typical bully is a child who uses physical aggression. Bullying, however, can also include social exclusion, verbal threats and initiation.

Bullying typically starts during the preschool years. Bullying peaks in middle school and often can go undetected by school staff and parents.

Kids who bully know how to go undetected by parents and school staff. Bullying typically happens without any adult awareness, whether it be online bullying or bullying on the playground.

The best way to identify a bully is to observe how your child and his or her peers interact. Your child's teacher and principal may have little idea about who is a bully on the playground.

First and foremost, the school administration needs to define the concept of bullying. The school must determine what is considered to be acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Stay focused and concrete when talking to a child who bullies. Talk only about the specific bullying incident, rather than labeling a child a bully or talking about the more general and abstract concept of bullying.

Teachers should be as consistent as possible with enforcing bullying rules themselves. Every child is held to the same standard. The consequences for bullying should also be implemented quickly, with no delay.

Children who are bullied are not to blame. Targets for bullies tend to be more passive and rule-conscious. This means that children who are bullied are unlikely to stick up for themselves.

Girl bullies are typically not the same as boy bullies. Girl bullies tend to use emotional tactics and hurtful words. They also tend to bully in groups, using social intimidation.

The first thing a bullied child should do is report the incident to school staff. A bullied child shouldn't try to handle the situation on his or her own.

Children are more likely to bully another child if that child is alone and socially isolated. Therefore, encourage your child to stick with his or her friends.

Expand your child's social network beyond school by enrolling him or her in extracurricular activities. If your child is bullied at school, your child may benefit from making new friends outside of school.

A fearful environment due to bullying is not conducive for learning. Schools that report low levels of bullying also report higher overall test scores.

The only way to effectively reduce bullying in your child's school is to implement a comprehensive school-wide anti-bullying program. Typically, this involves: anti-bullying workshops and lessons, continuous enforcement of bullying rules, ongoing follow-up and school-wide education.