Pamphlet
Social Story & Activity Booklet: Understanding & Preventing Bullying
A printable PreK–Grade 5 booklet with definitions, social stories, activities, and a worksheet.
PreK–KAges 6–11EducatorsParents
Summary. Age-appropriate definitions of bullying, social stories ("Be a Friend, Not a Bully" and "Speak Up for Others"), what to do if you notice bullying, prevention tips, classroom activities, and a recognition worksheet.
What Is Bullying?
For PreK–2: Bullying is when someone does or says mean things on purpose, over and over, to hurt another person or make them feel bad. For Grades 3–5: Bullying is intentional behavior that hurts someone physically, emotionally, or socially, happens repeatedly, and involves an imbalance of power.
Types of Bullying
- Physical — hitting, pushing, tripping, taking things.
- Verbal — name-calling, teasing, mean words.
- Social — leaving someone out, spreading rumors.
- Cyberbullying (Grades 3–5) — mean messages or hurtful posts.
Social Stories
- "Be a Friend, Not a Bully" (PreK–2) — Mia, Sam, Lily, and a teacher who teaches kindness.
- "Speak Up for Others" (Grades 3–5) — Alex stands up for Jamie at lunch.
What to Do If You Notice Bullying
- Tell a trusted adult.
- Be a friend — sit with them, invite them in.
- Speak up kindly but firmly (Grades 3–5).
- Stay safe — get help instead of confronting if it feels unsafe.
Activities
- Draw Kindness — picture yourself helping a sad friend.
- Role-Play — act out helping someone left out.
- Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down — sort kind vs. unkind actions.
- Anti-Bullying Poster — design positive messages.
- Letter Writing — encouragement for someone left out.
Signs a Child May Be Experiencing Bullying
- Unexplained bruises, scratches, torn clothes, or missing belongings.
- Reluctance to attend school.
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood.
- Withdrawal from friends or activities.