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(Unit 7) Topic 6: Bullying Identification: A Developmentally Appropriate Approach​​

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Bullying and Childhood Development

​Topic 6 Page 8

The development of each child is different and unique to other children. Some may experience certain stages of development at different times and others may experience them for longer times.

​Some stages of development include common behaviors that are challenging and at times scary for educators to witness. The key with determining whether or not the behavior that you are seeing is bullying or part of normal development is to observe and record events accurately and objectively. 

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Let’s discuss these behaviors more specifically. 

Biting
Infants and toddlers are famous for biting during school and care. It is a normal behavior for both age groups and comes from a lack of tools and skills to process the strong emotions that they are feeling. Sometimes it is also just because they have the impulse to bite or because they are teething. Whatever the cause, it is a normal part of development. When a child matures and can express themselves through words and actions, this behavior ceases. If an older child is biting their peers this should be observed and documented carefully to address the situation to prevent potential bullying behaviors.  

“I won’t be your friend!”
Preschool and school-age children will begin to create complex social circles and experiences. This increased social interaction brings rules and expectations from individuals who are still exercising their ability to interact appropriately. Children will argue and threaten to end friendships over silly matters or when one person doesn’t get their way. This is a normal part of development and while it is hurtful to the other child, the one stating these threats is not being a bully. Instead they are being mean and unreasonable, but not a bully. Now, if the threats are serious, repeated, targeted at a specific child, followed through, and are causing harm, this is bullying.

Spitting
Spitting is another behavior that in older children shows aggression and potential bullying, but in very young groups it is part of normal development. Infants and toddlers spit periodically for a wide range of reasons including defiance, imitation, anger, and curiosity. Children are testing with these behaviors and it is important to redirect and guide them toward better alternatives. As with most other challenging behaviors, if an older child is spitting and they target a specific child repeatedly, this may be bullying and not a normal part of development.

Aggression
Children as young as infancy show signs of aggression as part of their normal development. When an infant pushes, pulls, hits, or pounds on something they are showing signs of aggression. These physical forms of force are a normal part of development but should subside with guidance and support as the child matures. An 8-month-old infant is unaware that pulling a friend’s hair can actually hurt them. Adults in this infant’s life should take care to guide them through more appropriate actions such as gentle touches, soft pats, etc. When this infant is around two years of age they begin to understand that their actions have an impact on others. This is when we begin to see aggressive behaviors subside unless they are a result of an emotional impulse or reaction. Still, this is not evidence of bullying but is developmentally appropriate. As the child ages and matures, purposeful aggression subsides except for in certain situations.  

• Bullying Report Describes Effects On Child Development, Need For Cyberbullying Monitoring by Hanady Kader for Seattle Children’s Hospital 
• Bullying in Early Childhood by Kyle Snow for NAEYC ​

(Unit 7) Topic 6: Bullying Identification​ * Navigation Menu