Print or share these pages with a child who is trying to work out whether behaviour is bullying, banter or a friendship fall-out. The child-friendly wording makes it suitable for home conversations, school pastoral support, mentoring sessions or early help work with kids and younger teenagers who need clear, reassuring steps they can follow.
Children who feel targeted by bullying are supported to recognise what is happening, understand that it is not their fault and know how to ask for help. The booklet explains that bullying is behaviour intended to hurt, repeated and difficult for the target to defend against because another person has power. It also separates bullying from banter and ordinary disagreements.
The guide uses simple language and a gaming-style idea of choosing your own path, helping children feel more in control when things feel frightening or confusing. It acknowledges common feelings such as fear, sadness, anger, loneliness and embarrassment, while repeatedly making clear that the person doing the bullying needs to change.
Practical advice includes telling a trusted adult, keeping going until the child finds someone who can help, and recording incidents in a diary with details of what happened, when it happened and who was involved. These prompts could be useful for parents, carers, teachers, school counsellors, youth workers and family support practitioners helping a child prepare for a conversation with school.
Later sections focus on friendships and assertiveness. Children are encouraged to spend time with people who make them feel good about themselves, avoid those who make them feel scared or pressured, and practise standing tall, making eye contact and saying a clear, firm “No”. Kidscape is named as the author.
