Today we’re exploring the word “bullying.” What experience do you have with this word?
Today we’re exploring the word “personification.” What do you think it means?
Okay, wordsmiths! Now it’s your turn! Share your writing with us or record a voicemail and send it to listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And let us know what other words are on your mind!
Check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com.
SIO, Ep 25
“Bullying”
[INTRO]
Matthew: Hello, dear question-askers and big-thought thinkers!
My name is Matthew. Welcome to Sound It Out.
This podcast is all about words: why we use them, what they mean, and why they’re so darn important.
[TODAY’S WORD]
Today’s word is “bullying”.
I chose this word because it’s something we talk a lot about in schools. Teachers encourage kids to stand up to bullies. Kids encourage kids to stop bullying behavior and take steps towards tolerance and inclusion. Parents worry that their kid will be bullied, and sometimes even worry that their kid will be the bully.
Let me say the word again a couple different ways because it’s got a couple different forms, and then we’ll break down it’s meaning.
Bully.
Bullying.
Bullied.
[EXAMPLES]
So what is bullying?
Demetria: Bullying is when somebody is mean to another person.
Anya: Bullying is when one or more people um pick on or make fun of or makes another person feel sad or bad about themselves.
Matthew: That’s right, Demetria and Anya.
Bullying is when you, on purpose, seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce a person who is seen as vulnerable.
Let me put that a different way.
To be bullied can mean to have someone intentionally hurting or trying to hurt you. It can mean having someone try to scare you or make you afraid to do something you know you have every right to do. It can mean someone trying to convince you to do something you know isn’t the right choice, but feel like they’re not giving you any choice.
Anya: Bullying has always been a negative things toward me. I’ve never gotten bullied, I’ve never seen anyone bullied, but I’ve definitely heard about it. And just thinking about people having to go through that makes me sad.
Matthew: Me, too, Anya. It makes me sad for the person who got bullied. And it actually also makes me sad for the bully themselves.
[MEANING & USAGE]
People who witness bullying happen and do nothing are called “bystanders”. You can remember that by breaking the word apart. Bystander. They stand by while the person is bullied.
People who witness bullying happen and step in to stop it are called “upstanders”. You can remember that by breaking the word apart, too. Upstander. They stand up to the bully and try to stop it from happening.
Bullying leaves me with lots of questions, like “Why do people bully?” “Do bullies actually feel good about making other people feel bad? Really?” “And what happens when we mislabel bullying? Like when it’s really just teasing? Does that make people take bullying less seriously?”
I bet you have questions, too. Ask them. Ask them around grownups. Ask them at school. Talk about bullying. Bring it out into the open. Shine a light.
Speaking of… thanks to Demetria from Massachusetts and to Anya from Maryland. Demetria was 5 at the time of this recording. Anya was 13.
[CLOSING]
Okay, wordsmiths! Now it’s your turn! Share your writing with us or record a voicemail and send it to listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And let us know what other words are on your mind!
Check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com. And come back tomorrow for a new word!
See ya!