Hello Parents,

We get very excited this time of year because we know we can really make a difference for our students, our schools and our community. At Keiko Dojo, we are very serious about our bully awareness and abduction prevention program.

There is another reason we get really excited, and can’t wait to teach your child how to fend off bullies . . . and it may be even more important than the reason you originally thought!

There really are two primary character traits we need to focus on and develop in your child:

The two are COURAGE and DISCIPLINE. We are working on the first one, courage, with this training theme.

Here is the key to remember when developing courage. “Kids can only learn by doing!” and “Courage can only be learned in the presence of FEAR!” Without the emotional experience of fear, courage cannot truly be learned. Now this fear does not have to be intense or life threatening.

Actually it is really the small fears and limiting beliefs that holds each of us back. It can be the fear of raising your hand. Or the fear of public speaking. Or the fear of meeting new people. Or the fear of what others will think. Shyness is a fear. Anxiety is fear.

The one fear that we can use that your child probably encounters daily at school is the bullying, controlling, or inappropriate behaviour.

This month we are teaching them to use this fear or hesitation of “standing up for themselves and others” as a way for them to develop courage. It is an opportunity that already happens to them every day. We can take advantage of this fear and repetition. We want to teach them to always act and do something. Because if they just watch and become a “silent bystander” they actually reinforce their fear and will lose courage.

"Everytime you face your fears, YOU get stronger . . . when your fears back you off your FEARS get stronger!"

Parents, here’s the good news. When we do a really good job at teaching this to our students and children, they not only learn to protect themselves, they can protect, and teach their peers to help others too!!!!!!

We create Guardians and Champions for

GOOD!!

This is ultimately the only real solution to bullying. It will take the kids to stop it. Bullying in our schools, playgrounds, and communities cannot be stopped by just the adults, and here’s the biggest reason why:

While it may sound good to have our children ignore or turn the other cheek, this does not work to stop it because Bullies need two things to exist and survive: SILENCE and SECRECY!! Unconfronted, and unreported bullying incidents only serve to enable, and empower the bully to continue their scourge.

Here is the problem, especially when kids get older, the bullies get really smart and skillful. They can bully others and never been seen hurting others by any adults. They also know how to stay “just under the radar” when they are in trouble. Only to rise up later when the coast is clear. But our kids see it all!

The group of children that will make the difference and change this world of bullying is the “Silent Majority” of bystanders. These are the 80% of kids that are good kids. They know they should stop the bullies but just do not know how or feel powerless to stop it.

If one child stands up to a bully it sends them a clear message, but if two or more stand together it will stop almost all the time. So here is the good news, we have the strength in our numbers!!!! And United we can end this ! It just takes COURAGE!!! Courage by only one person first!! Then others will certainly follow

So what do we do as parents and teachers? Develop Courage in our children then teach them the deep belief and conviction that they have a right to a school and life free of bullying, and they can go to a school and not be afraid and helpless.

So…… Can bullying be stopped? Absolutely!!

Have an Amazing Week!!

Sensei

Keiko Karate – “Actually we do make Ninjas and Superheroes here………………we turn kids into Ninjas and we turn their parents into their superheroes!”