Bullying is a major concern today. Everyone reads about it, and everyone is concerned. How do a lot of schools, leagues, and programs deal with it? They bring in a speaker, they hold meeting or two, they punish perpetrators, and they pray for the best. This a good top-down start, but bullying is a complex problem, and it requires a committed, grassroots solution.
This weekend, the documentary Bully was released, and is a powerful tool in the campaign against bullying. It lights a fire in viewers, but on top of the awareness that the film creates, a coordinated, effective framework is needed for communities to use to combat this societal ill. Play Like a Champion Today™ offers that framework. We use, just as we do on the playing field, our GROW approach:
Goals-Stop bullying, and create healthy, fun environment for all children.
+ Relationships-So often in bullying, we think about the bully and the victim, but there is a key player in the approach to stop bullying: the bystander. We need to create spaces for open discussions among our children, so that bullies aren’t the top-dog on the playground, and victims do not feel alone. As adults, let us engage all children to talk about their experiences with bullying, and encourage them to let their feelings be heard.
+ Ownership-This is a problem happening in OUR communities. WE are responsible for it. And our children are responsible for it, too. We need to get the kids involved. Get them talking to us, but more importantly each other, about their thoughts on bullying. Bullying will stop if our children can create an environment in which they realize the importance of inclusion, and when they hold each other accountable for their actions. This cannot be a one-time discussion, and shouldn’t wait to come as a reaction to a tragedy. It should be a proactive, ongoing atmosphere that is encouraged by adults, but owned by children.
= Winning-In this case, being a winner means that we have playgrounds, sports leagues, and school hallways that are safe and fun. Winning is seeing the yellow school bus as a sign of hope for a new day, and not a portal to a dark place. Winning is a day when phone calls from school are about good performance, and not another fight.
We are on the frontlines of a new battle with a familiar foe. We have long known what we are up against, and Play Like a Champion Today™ now empowers our communities with the best tools. Let us use these tools to make our world better for our children.
