ABSTRACT:

Bullying is a form of violent behavior that can take different forms including physical intimidation such as injury or the threat of it, spitting, pushing and kicking as well as non-physical intimidation such as verbal victimization including calling names, insults, spiteful taunts or mockery. Malicious gossip, spreading rumors and rejection from the group are also considered to be forms of bullying among school children. Due to the rapid development of technology, bullying has been extended and intimidation is being exercised through social media and electronic devices too.

The art therapy intervention is a helpful approach which can help build awareness about the harmful effects of bullying as well as identify the behaviors perceived by the students as bullying. This intervention influences directly the emotional sphere of children, develops their self-confidence thus creating a healthy psycho-social environment in our schools, forming positive conflict resolution skills and behavioural strategies in order to prevent bullying.

On the other hand sociodrama in education can enhance spontaneity and creativity, in both teachers and students, transform conflicts in useful learning situations, explore how we can live together in a better way and can also go much further than the well -known desk-pencil-and-paper learning tool, contributing to a more integrated development in all dimensions of school students’ personalities.

During this session the participants will be able to explore how the combination of these two methods in action works in order to successfully prevent bullying in schools. They will be able apply minimum 3 of the presented techniques in their work with school children.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: