The WITS Programs bring together schools, families, and communities to create responsive environments that help elementary school-aged children deal with peer victimization, such as discrimination and bullying.
Kids in WITS schools are given positive, empowering messages from the biggest influences in their lives – parents, teachers, and leaders in their community. Knowing that they are supported by the people they respect, children make better choices when faced with victimization.
Parents & caregivers have an important role in the WITS Programs. By “using their WITS” at home – that is, to be smart when making decisions about conflicts – they foster pro-social behaviors. Using this common language in school and at home helps children remember the WITS strategies so they can solve conflicts in and outside of school over the long term.
The Role of Parents and Caregivers in the WITS Program
How can parents and caregivers help children use their WITS at home?
- Adopting the four strategies – Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, and Seek Help – toward many different situations outside of school, such as competing for a toy, choosing a cartoon to watch, or deciding who goes first in a game.
- When watching television shows or movies, ask a child which strategies a character can use to solve the problem they are faced with.
- After a timeout, ask a child how they could have done things differently if they used the four strategies.
Adults are an important part of their children’s lives, school communities, and the WITS programs. There is nothing more important than knowing that children are learning and growing in a safe environment.
Parents & caregivers have an important role in the WITS Programs. By “using their WITS” at home – that is, to be smart when making decisions about conflicts – they foster pro-social behaviors. Using this common language in school and at home helps children remember the WITS strategies so they can solve conflicts in and outside of school over the long term.
