December 24, 2019 Issue, Page 8 of 10

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Page 8 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Merritt Schools Mrs. McCown’s students responses to show 4 ‘ = F é Merritt Elementary put on their 3rd through understanding of a Christmas story that they 6th grade Christmas program. Photos provided read as a class. Photos by Merritt Schools. by Merritt Schools. & Ways to Empc FAMILY FEATURES F rom the classroom to the internet, bullying can lead to children developing a poor self-image or lead to bullying others. In fact, members of Gen- eration Z believe bullying is the biggest issue facing their generation, according to new data, A survey of American youth ages 6-17, commissioned by the Boy Scouts of America, the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values- based leadership training, found bullying ranked as the top concern for young people in their own communities, across the country and on a global scale. At the same time, 84% of those surveyed said they want to be a part ofthe solution, Consider these ideas to help your kids learn how to overcome, avoid and break down the cycle of bullying: Promote more time unplugged and outdoors. It is important for parents to promote healthy, face-to-face social interactions. Outdoor activities allow children to work together, solve problems and bond in a way that typically can’t be achieved through a screen. They also give children a break from the cyber-world, where bullying is often prevalent, Encourage kindness. Ninety-seven percent of Gen Z members surveyed said being kind is important. Encourage kids to act on that feeling and remind them that it doesn’t take any extra energy to be kind. Serve as a role model by making kindness a foundation in your family, just as the Boy Scouts of America have done. The Scout Law lists being kind as one of 12 guiding characteristics. Educate and equip. Parents should educate their children about why bullying is never OK, equip them with the knowledge they’Il need to recognize it and encourage them to report and safely respond to all forms ofbullying they observe. Use the buddy system. In Scouting, the buddy system pairs kids together to help censure the well-being ofone another. This approach is used for practical and safety reasons that can also be applied to everyday life. A pair or groupof kids are less likely to get bullied, and buddies can be supportive by being an upstander. Explore differenees. As a family, look for ways to get involved in activities that include families from different backgrounds and cultures. Introducing kids to ideas and lifestyles different from their own can be an enlightening experience, and that knowledge can help break down some of the barriers that contribute to bullying, such as fear and misunderstanding. Learn more about ways Generation Z and its supporters can help put an end to bullying at Scouting.org. Improving Communities Creating a better community may be a = Bullying was a top concem among collaborative goal, but as survey data from respondents, with 86% of respondents the Boy Scouts solutions of America lie much closer to shows, the can be home and saying vying that not being i bullied is a daily inspired by the acts of individuals: Priority and 30% saying that out of ‘§ 97% of those surveyed said being kind 20-plus societal issues, bullying is the to others is important. problem they most want solved globally. ™ 84% said they want to be a part of solving, ‘™ Other top concerns respondents want to community issues in the future. = 79% said improving their community help solve are hunger (28%) and neecare for is important. elders (27%) at the local level; animal = 50% said the reason they focus on rights (28%) and recycling (28%) at the some of these issues because their national level; and poverty (28%) and parents are passionate about them, human rights (26%) at the global level.