From Hallways to Classrooms: Bullying Prevention Strategies That Work in Elementary and Middle Schools
Walk into any school today, and you’ll see the same thing: backpacks swinging, sneakers squeaking, kids chattering. It all looks normal.
But sometimes, hiding behind the noise, there’s something else going on.
A quiet shove. A cruel whisper. A child sitting alone every single day.
That’s bullying. And it’s not “just kids being kids.”
I’ve worked with schools for years, and I can tell you this: bullying is sneaky, it’s mean, and it leaves deep scars. But here’s the good news. There ARE bullying prevention strategies that work. Real ones. Ones I’ve seen make a difference—in classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, and beyond.
Let’s dive into some of the most effective ways of preventing bullying and building a kinder, stronger school culture.
1. Adults Need to SEE It First
This one’s huge.
If we don’t see bullying, we can’t stop it. But bullying doesn’t always look like what you’d expect.
It’s not always fists and name-calling. Sometimes it’s eye-rolls. It’s being left out on purpose. It’s mean texts sent at 8 p.m.
Teachers and parents need to be trained to spot the quiet stuff. The side comments. The group chats. The invisible battles kids are fighting.
Train your staff. Talk to your teachers. Pay attention to the patterns.
And here’s something I always say: If a child says something’s going on—even if it sounds small—believe them. Dig deeper.
2. Set Clear Rules… and Actually Follow Them
You can hang posters that say “Be Kind” all day long. But if no one follows through, kids will tune it out.
That’s why schools need clear anti-bullying rules. Simple. Easy to remember. Easy to act on.
But more than that, teachers and staff must enforce those rules every single time.
If a kid calls another student a name, you address it. Every time.
If someone’s left out of a group, you step in.
If a parent brings up a concern, you take it seriously.
Consistency is everything.
3. Create a Culture Where Kindness Is Cool
This one’s personal for me. Because I’ve seen it flip a whole school around.
If kindness becomes the norm, bullying struggles to survive.
Try this: Make kindness part of your school brand. Give out “Caught Being Kind” notes. Let students nominate each other for kind acts. Run a school-wide kindness challenge.
Let the quiet kids become kindness leaders. Let the silly ones run skits about empathy. Let your assemblies shout loud and proud: This is a school that lifts people up.
Preventing bullying starts with making kindness loud.
4. Help Kids Build Empathy
Here’s the truth: Kids don’t bully when they see others as real people.
One of the strongest bullying prevention strategies I’ve seen is empathy training.
Role play works. Reading books about emotions works. Watching videos where kids tell their stories works.
When students hear how it feels to be left out, ignored, mocked—they start to think twice.
I once watched a fifth grader stop himself mid-joke and say, “Wait. That might hurt her feelings.”
That’s a win. That’s what empathy does.
5. Give Bystanders the Power to Act
Most bullying happens in front of an audience.
But guess what? Those bystanders? They can be the heroes.
We need to teach kids what to do when they see bullying. How to speak up. How to help the target. How to go tell an adult.
You can’t just say “Don’t be a bystander.” That’s too vague.
Say this instead:
“If you see someone being teased, say, ‘Hey, that’s not cool.’”
“If someone looks upset, go sit with them.”
“If you don’t know what to do, tell a teacher right away.”
Kids want to do the right thing. We just have to give them the words.
6. Involve Parents—Big Time
Parents are a huge piece of this puzzle.
But let’s be real—many don’t know what’s going on at school until it’s a full-blown mess.
So talk to them early. Share your bullying prevention strategies. Invite them into the conversation. Let them know what to look for at home—changes in mood, headaches, avoiding school, hiding their phone.
And if a parent brings something up, don’t blow it off.
Even if it seems small, listen. Every kid deserves to feel safe.
7. Start Young—Way Younger Than You Think
Some adults don’t think second graders can bully.
They’re wrong.
I’ve seen cruel behavior pop up as early as kindergarten. Kids are smart. They know how to hurt each other—fast.
So start early.
Teach them how to name their feelings. How to solve conflicts. How to ask for help.
The younger we start, the less we have to fix later.
8. Bring in Outside Help (Yes, It’s Worth It)
Sometimes you need an outside voice.
Someone kids will listen to. Someone with a story. A message. A way to make it stick.
I’ve visited schools all over the country doing exactly that. And I can tell you—when the lights go down and the stories start, kids lean in. They remember. They feel it.
Whether it’s an assembly, a speaker, or a special program—bringing in help shows students you care.
It breaks up the routine. It gets through in ways a classroom lesson can’t.
9. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Look, no school is bully-free. But you can make progress.
Celebrate the wins:
Fewer office visits.
A student who stands up for a friend.
A parent who thanks you for helping.
Let the kids know you see them trying. Tell the teachers they’re doing a good job. Share stories of kindness in newsletters and over the intercom.
When people feel like they’re making a difference—they keep going.
10. Don’t Wait for a Crisis
Don’t wait for the big fight. Don’t wait for the angry phone call. Don’t wait for the video to go viral.
The best time to fight bullying? Right now. Before it gets ugly.
Build your culture. Train your team. Talk to your kids.
Preventing bullying isn’t about one assembly or one poster. It’s about showing up. Every single day.
If you’re a parent, talk to your school. Ask what their bullying prevention plan looks like.
If you’re a principal, look around your school. Is it safe? Is it kind?
And if you want real change—change that sticks—don’t go it alone.
Let’s raise a generation of kids who speak up, who lift others, and who make school a place everyone wants to be.
Because I’ve seen what happens when schools do the work.
And trust me—it works.
Want to Inspire Your Students?
My “No Bully Zone” Bully Prevention school assembly is the perfect ‘kickoff’ to a school-wide campaign for a positive environment. Filled with magic, kid-friendly humor, and loads of interaction, your teachers and students will love it. Find out more today.