Peer relationships are a major focus during the school-age years of child development. During this time, children have many opportunities to grow,  learn social skills, and develop problem-solving skills.  Unfortunately, sometimes relationships at this stage can be negative and hurtful to a child.  According to StopBullying.gov, approximately 40 percent of youth in the United States are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. 

When a community assessment recognized mental health and character education as a need, Knox County 4-H Council worked to develop an Anti-Bullying Campaign. The Knox County 4-H program worked with Family Resource Center Directors in nearly all of the school centers to offer anti-bullying programs in grades 4 and 5.

Approximately 98 youth, participated in hands-on anti-bullying programs designed to teach them to identify bullying, recognize the signs of bullying, and to take a stand against bullying. At the end of the program, youth created posters used in some school hallways as a campaign against bullying.  

Results at the end of the program show:

100 percent of youth participants can identify bullying like cyberbullying, physical, isolation, and more.

80 percent of participants can recognize the signs of bullying like change of behavior, withdrawal from activities, and more.

70 percent of participants feel that they could take a stand against bullying by telling an adult or taking up for another child.

100 percent of participants created posters to display in their school to help their peers understand ways to take a stand against bullying.