Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the House considers the issue of bullying, I want to ensure we consider the postnatal, the preschool and early childhood development aspects of prevention. Based on evolving studies, educators strongly urge that bullying and peer-directed aggression be tackled early in the child’s life. The suggestions make sense. Home life, child care and preschool set the tone to a child’s future perception of school and community, one that can persist throughout the child’s entire school career and life.
Bullying can be aggravated if a disconnection occurs between home and school. Some caregivers report that children come to their programs with difficult behaviours. That’s where the help of postnatal support and nurse-family programs can pay off. Positive support and modeling of appropriate skills at home encourage children to acquire and maintain friendships, a critical foundation for social, emotional and educational success. Sorting out mixed messages is key.
Early childhood experts provide basic recommendations that qualified support workers are needed to deliver the infant and toddler programs that assist positive relationships within families. New mothers and families benefit from understanding what “normal conflict” is, so parents understand what behaviours are developmentally appropriate for their children.
A major issue in parenting is the need to control screen time. That’s child viewing of TV and computer images. Studies show that exposure to media, aggression and the glamorization of crime desensitizes children to violence and creates a perception that bullying behaviours are normal, and can even affect brain development. Postnatal nurse family advisors can warn parents that children under two years of age should watch no media, and other preschoolers no more than one to two hours. A challenging task in today’s world, but vital knowledge to have.
Above all, we need to start early to bully-proof each child. Children need to be empowered early and encouraged to know what bullying is, when they are being bullied, and that it’s okay to share their feelings. Young people look to parents and caregivers for authority, so those with authority need to encourage little people and tell them the rules. Here again it’s a vital need for effective early childhood development that will grow our next generation of healthy, fun-loving and functional citizens.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
