Let’s acknowledge anti-bullying day
February 22, 2021The original anti-bullying day was established in Canada in 2007 when two Nova Scotia teens bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a male ninth grade student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school. The last Wednesday in February — this year, Feb. 24 — is now the national anti-bullying day in the country. A focus on self-regulation — including paying attention and inhibiting impulsivity — is crucial for healthy child development and a step in reducing bullying. Parents can promote this skill by being responsive to their children, providing positive feedback during challenging tasks, and supporting older children and teens to be more autonomous. For more information, see Vol. 10, No. 4 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly