Page 32 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 7 August 2024
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TODAY'S CHILD                                                                                                          BA FWG July24.pdf   1   2024/07/10   09:07:37
   TODAY'S CHILD



















                                                                                                                                   BROADACRES ACADEMY



                                                                                                                                       BUS SERVICE COMING




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                                                                                                                                   BUS ROUTE 1:
                      Sometimes the victim is forced to move to   depend on their age. Methods include getting the   C
                      a different school to escape the constant   child to draw and describe their pictures or going                                                                Cedar
                      humiliation.                              for a milkshake and having a good talk.             M                Chartwell                  Syringa             Square                           Bryanston
                                                                                                                    Y                Campus                     Campus                          Douglasdale
                      SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED         Look at where your child is thriving and consider   CM
                      Children often suffer in silence, and some   the subjects or activities that interest them. If they
                      parents put their child’s self-isolation or   have a hobby they’re passionate about or if they   MY
                      moodiness down to hormones, teenage angst   are involved in a favourite sport, help them use   CY                                                                                      Bryan Park
                      or a phase they are going through. It is essential   this as a channel for positivity and affirmation.
                      that you, as a parent, encourage open and                                                    CMY                                                                   The Buzz
                      honest communication with your child and make   Equip your child with knowledge about the     K                                                Syringa
                      this a normal part of the family dynamic.  dangers of the online world – it’s similar to                     BUS ROUTE 2:
                                                                warning them about stranger danger. Help them                                                        Campus
                      If your child is uncharacteristically bad-tempered,   to navigate social media in a responsible way
                      avoids school, avoids discussing school or shows   and be sure to take an interest in their online life.
                      a dramatic shift in academic performance, it is   This can be tough when you have older teens;                 Chartwell Campus                                               Lonehill
                      cause for concern. Physical signs such as cuts or   the solution is to keep a healthy channel of
                      bruises, unexplained damage or the loss of their   communication wide open.
                      belongings, are also red flags.
                                                                The internet is ruthless – once something is                                                                      Agora Fourways
                      WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS BE-         out there, there is no taking it back. Children                                                                                                       Pineslopes
                      ING BULLIED                               need to realise this, and they should never                                                                       Gardens
                      The most important thing you can do is listen   say or post anything online that they wouldn’t
                      and let your child feel heard. Personalise it by   share in person. If your child is being taunted or
                      sharing your own experiences if you were bullied   bullied online – be it by someone they know or a
                      as a child, but be careful not to undermine their   stranger – understand that they need to feel safe
                      experience by implying that it is normal behaviour   in order to speak up about it. This means that
                      that every child needs to deal with.      you, as a parent, need to be open-minded. Never                           SCAN FOR
                                                                retaliate by belittling the child’s enjoyment of
                      Speak to your child’s teacher and seek guidance,   online gaming or social media. It is part of their              MORE INFO
                      but don’t confront the bully or the bully’s parents.   world, and they must learn to navigate it safely.
                      It is natural for parents to be defensive and                                                                                                                    CHARTWELL MARKET
                      protect their children, but this will not fix anything.  If you suspect or discover that your child is
                                                                bullying another child, it is just as important to
                      You must also seek the necessary support for   seek expert help and support. It’s about getting                                                                            & OPEN DAY
                      your child (and yourself) so as to equip them   to the root of the problem so that it doesn’t
                      with the tools they need to handle the situation.   become a long-term issue. Also, it’s important                                                                        Sat. 14 Sept.
                      Counselling is highly recommended.        for you to assure your child that you love them
                                                                unconditionally and to guide them on how to                                                                               Chartwell Campus
                      It’s important that you help your child articulate   go about setting matters right with the people
                      what is happening to them. How you do this will   they’ve bullied.


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       Cornwall View • Issue 4 2024
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