Page 20 - Blue Valley Issue 2_2023

TODAY’S CHILD
Bullying:

a behaviour

management

approach

By Dr Ilse Ruane

ehaviour management is the Punishment is one of the tools needed problem is that the entire system
umbrella that’s often used to for discipline. Punishment is used responds negatively when bullying
Bdeal with behavioural issues when disciplining, but it needn’t be occurs, making it virtually impossible
at home and at school. It is also an punitive. Punitive punishment invites for the child to be receptive because he
effective way of dealing with bullying. retaliation and rebellion. When or she is on the defence.
This is because discipline is what’s punishment is punitive, it has little
needed in the moment of inappropriate effect on future behaviour. The reaction by those in the school
behaviour – but discipline needs to be system (parents, teacher, headmaster,
focused on changing the behavioural We need to remember that behaviour etc) is therefore not necessarily
outcome in the future. is reactive. As human beings, we conducive to bringing about change.
respond to a situation in one of three We need to change and shift the way
The goal must be future-oriented ways: fight, flight or freeze mode. For a we see bullying.
because the here and now is far too bullying child to learn to change their
emotionally laden to alter without it behaviour – and bullying is a behaviour Discipline cannot follow a textbook.
becoming punitive. – the child needs to be receptive. The It has to be tailormade for each

18 • Issue 2 2023 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS