[wombat]

I have a friend with a 9 year old DD, year 3. She has been targeted by 2 boys in her class since the beginning of the year. They will sit on either side of her in the playground and copy everything she does, even if she asks them to stop they will not. They will go up behind her and lightly touch the back of her head - repeatedly. They follow her around and whisper just loud enough for her to hear her name, but nothing else. They tell the other children they are going to play a practical joke on her, knowing it will get back to her. They will sit together in class and stare at her. If she is giving a speach in class they will start to talk, whisper, jostle, even call out to distract her.
All of these behaviours are constant, almost every day. She tells them repeatedly to stop in a loud voice but they refuse.

My friend believes very strongly that this is bullying, but would like others opinions. Most people she speaks to agree with her, as do I, but a few have said it is just kids being kids. I told her I would post here to find out what the wise folk in EB land think! FWIW her DD is very distressed by this, in tears most mornings before school, but still wanting to go because she doesn't want to not see her friends. So, what do you think?

[mudskippa]

Yes I would call that bullying. They sound like very boring children who can't think of anything to do so have to spend their days tormenting others and feeding off the drama.

Actually, they may just be in love with her. It is still bullying though.

This post has been edited by mudskippa: 27/07/2012, 10:41 AM

[Lyra]

Absolutely that is bullying. I cannot believe that the teacher is letting them get away with the calling out behaviour in class. At the very least that is rude and disrespectful and should not have gotten out of hand

[kadoodle]

Of course it's bullying. What else would it be?

Why isn't the classroom teacher jumping on them for it too?

[~Tranquillity~]

Absolutely, yes.

All of these behaviours are constant, almost every day.

To me that's what makes it bullying. It is so much more than 'kids being kids'. It sounds just horrible.

[Carmen02]

defiently bullying Poor girl

[babychacha]

Its also called Intimidation....something that all bullies are good at. These two boys need to be hauled over some hot coals ASAP.

[BobTheBottersnik...]

That sounds like bullying from what you've said. The poor little girl

And I will say that if this behaviour has been going on since the beginning of the year, I'm horrified that none of the teachers have picked up on it, or taken steps to address it.

[Therese]

It does sound like bullying Poor little thing.

[Corchen]

Has your friend had a chat with the teacher? if she has and it's still happening i would make an appointment to see the principal, i had to go the principal route at my sons school before it was taken seriously, the poor kid should be able to attend school feeling safe and happy.