PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE often thought of as too young to be able to engage in bullying behaviours. However, when it does occur, there are ramifications not only for the child but also for parents and siblings. This paper explores this issue by reporting on an exploratory study involving interviews with four parents whose child had experienced bullying in a Victorian kindergarten. Parents reported a range of responses, including anger, guilt for not protecting their child, and powerlessness in the face of denial from kindergarten staff that their child had been bullied. Being unable to access information about bullying among preschool children which might validate their experiences, reinforced the sense of isolation these parents experienced. Further research which explores the needs of family members of children bullied in the kindergarten (prior to school) setting is needed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AlsakerF. & ValkanoverS. (2001). Early diagnosis and prevention of victimization in kindergarten. In JuvonenJ. & GrahamS. (Eds.), Peer Harassment in School (pp. 175–195). New York: Guilford Press.
2.
AmbertA.M. (1994). An international perspective on parenting: Social change and social constructs. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56(1), 529–543.
3.
CarboneS., FraserA., RamburuthR. & NelmsL. (2004). Breaking Cycles, Building Futures: Promoting Inclusion of Vulnerable Families in Antenatal and Universal Early Childhood Services.Melbourne: Department of Human Services.
4.
Department of Human Services (2007). Victorian Kindergarten Policy, Procedures and Funding Criteria.Melbourne: Department of Human Services.
5.
DePoyE. & GilsonS.F. (2003). Evaluation Practice: Thinking and Action Principles for Social Work Practice. South Melbourne: Nelson Thompson Learning.
6.
FarrellA. (1999). Bullying: A case for early intervention. Australia & New Zealand Journal of Law & Education, 4(1), 40–46.
7.
FarringtonD.P. (1993). Understanding and preventing bullying. Crime and Justice, 17, 381–458.
8.
FinkelhorD., TurnerH. & OrmrodR. (2006). Kids stuff: The nature and impact of peer and sibling violence on younger and older children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 30(12), 1401–1421.
9.
JuvonenJ., NishinaA & GrahamS. (2000). Peer harassment, psychological adjustment, and school functioning in early adolescence. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(2), 349–359.
10.
KellehearA. (1993). The Unobtrusive Researcher: A Guide to Methods.St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
11.
KochenderferB.J. & LaddG.W. (1996). Peer Victimisation: Cause or consequence of school maladjustment?Child Development, 67(4), 1305–1317.
12.
KuczynskiJ.M. (2004). Bullying and Peer Harassment: Parent Support and Study Group. Retrieved 27 March 2007, http://www.powerofonefoundation.org.
13.
MainN. (1999). Children's perception of violence in early childhood centres: Beyond conflict. Paper presented at the Children and Crime: Victims and Offenders Conference, Australian Institute of Criminology, Brisbane, 17–18 June. Retrieved 27 March 2007, http://www.aic.gov.au/conferences/children/main.html.
14.
MorrisonB. (2002). Bullying and victimisation in schools: A restorative justice approach.Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
15.
OlweusD. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do.Cambridge, MA: Blackwell.
16.
RigbyK. (1998). The relationship between reported health and involvement in bully/victim problems among male and female secondary school students. Journal of Health Psychology, 3(4), 465–476.
17.
RigbyK. (2002). A meta-evaluation of the methods and approaches to reducing bullying in pre-schools and early primary school in Australia.Canberra: Attorney General's Department.
RigbyK. & SleeP. (1991). Bullying among Australian school children: Reported behaviour and attitudes to victims. Journal of Social Psychology, 131(5), 615 – 627.
20.
RoyseD. D., ThyerB. A., PadgettD.K. & LoganT.K. (2001). Program Evaluation: An Introduction (3rd edn). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole-Wadsworth.
21.
SmithP. K. & ShuS. (2000). What good schools can do about bullying: Findings from a survey in English schools after a decade of research and action. Childhood, 7(2), 193–212.
22.
SolomonM., PistrangN., & BarkerC. (2001). The benefits of mutual support groups for parents of children with disabilities. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(2), 113–132.
