If we are really trying to deal with schoolyard bullies in North America then we should really look at The Norwegian Project. Bullying is down by 50% in some of the schools in Norway!I watched Anderson Cooper’s special this week and experts like Doctor Phil mentioned some of the concepts but didn’t give the whole picture. So here it is.
If you have kids, if you know kids or if you ever were a kid- check out this video.
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Okay, so you don’t have time to watch the video- here it is in a nutshell. This just might work in North America- it’s certainly worth taking a look at.
WHAT NORWAY DID WITH A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
Bullying is seen as a HIGH priority in Norwegian schools.
Norwegians have a reputation for being peacemakers. On top of this they view children as a communal responsibility.
In 1994, there was a terrible tragedy. Two six-year-old boys beat a five-year-old girl to death.
Instead of condemning the boys and putting them into some sort of juvenile prison, authorities looked for kindergartens that would take the boys and return them to a life as normal as possible. Authorities did not want the boys to be isolated or ostracized. Schools and parents were approached. Naturally both parties were angry and afraid but what came out of it was amazing. Many parents eventually said, ‘Well those boys probably need kindergarten more than our children do.”
It was a way of forgiving the perpetrators.
What were the results? One boy still receives help for psychological problems but the other boy leads a normal life.
It was a perfect example of what Norwegians live and breathe. That above everything, Norway believes in the protection and rights of children-all children.
Even hitting children in Norway is against the law.
THE NORWEGIAN PROJECT
But what also came out of this tragedy was something called The Norwegian Project developed by a Dr. Roland. It was developed out of a government ‘manifesto’ in 2002 that stated that bullying in Norwegian schools would be reduced to 0% in three years. A tall order for sure. But with bullying down to 50% in some schools, you have to wonder what they are doing right that we’re not.
NO BULLYING IS ACCEPTED
The Norwegian Project comes from the belief that all children have a right to a good and bully free working environment. Authorities say it gives children the same right in their workplace that adults have in their workplaces.
Perhaps North American schools and workplaces could learn something from the Norwegian Project!
ZERO TOLERANCE
The Norwegian Project puts the responsibility of dealing with bullies on the shoulders of teachers. It basically works like this.
Teachers are not to tolerate anything. It is considered wrong if even the smallest infraction goes unnoticed. This standard must be enforced by every teacher.
ZERO GUARDS
Not to worry- teachers get some major back up. Recesses/ lunches/playtime are highly supervised by people called ” Zero Guards”. As soon as there is any issue regarding bullying- children are encouraged to speak out to one of the” Zero Guards”. Then the issue is dealt with immediately.
-The teacher is notified.
-The teacher will then speak to the victim of the incident, “Tell me what happened.”
-Many times the victim doesn’t want to talk but they are re-assured that they will be okay.
-The teacher then isolates the bullies, if they are in a group. (Many times, isolation from the group solves the problem.)
-The teacher speaks first. The bully is made clear how wrong it is what they did.
-With the consent of the victim, bullies and victims are brought together.
-If there are any further issues, parents are notified and expected to come into the school.
THE GROUP
Teachers admit that getting kids to speak initially is difficult but every student is told, ‘you have to tell the teacher if you experience something or if you see something. Don’t listen to people who call you a tattletale. Bullying is not tolerated.’
What I find interesting is that schools also tell the parents that they too can report anything that they see or hear-which parents have done.
MAIN REASONS FOR BULLYING
Dr. Roland says that there are two reasons for bullying-opportunity and rewards.
Lack of supervision ( hence the Zero Guards) allow bullies to flourish in playgrounds and bullies get a reward or sense of satisfaction from seeing someone else afraid.
The Norwegian Project eliminates lack of supervision with ‘The Zero Guards’ but it also takes away the reward by taking away the adoration or applause from the group. When everyone knows that bullying is wrong and won’t be tolerated then cheering, laughing and any other supportive group behavior is dealt with.
WHY ALL THE EFFORT???
In one school, a teacher said that it was difficult to teach because the focus was always class behavior. She felt like she was alone. However, once The Norwegian Project was put into place, she felt like she has the support of a system. She knew what to do. Many teachers felt this way.
ANTI BULLYING IS SEEN AS GENERAL EDUCATION AND IS INTEGRATED INTO THE WEEKLY CURRICULUM
Teachers meet with other teachers on a weekly basis. Teachers meet with students on a daily basis. Every day is started with a group discussion about bullying.
Students meet with students, as well. Every student group has a class representative.
ALL PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE
If there is a problem with a child feeling left out and the parents take it up with the school, all the parents are called in to discuss what they should do as a group. One father says it’s a lot of effort but you do what you can.
FRIDAY ASSEMBLIES
On Fridays, there is an assembly in the gym. All students get a chance to perform at something they are good at. Parents are allowed to attend. Authorities say that everyone needs to know that they are good at something and that they will get the same kind of applause no matter what it is. No student leaves a Norwegian school without having experience on stage, speaking into a microphone and getting positive feedback from their peers.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD
Norway believes its best resource is its children. One expert said, “We have to give the best when they are children so that they can be the best possible adults when they grow up.”
What I found particularly touching was the song that the students were singing at the end of the video.
GO TO THE END OF THE VIDEO AND SEE THE SCHOOL SINGING THIS SONG
Stop
Give it up
Don’t mess with this friend of mine
If you try to bully him, I will promise you one thing
I’ll still be standing by my friend
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