An examination of parents’ and preshool workers’ perspectives on bullying in preschool

The purpose of this study is to examine and compare positions of parents and childcare workers on bullying in preschool for 3-6-year-old children.

Within the four topics examined, the authors find:

• The existence of bullying: 49% of parents and 67% of the teachers replied that bullying occurs in preschool.
• Interpretation of bullying: The position of parents and preschool workers on bullying is fairly similar, but the two groups differ in some areas. The authors found a significant difference in the position on bullying among preschool workers and parents regarding the question of verbal aggression ("using bad words and nicknames" and "saying mean things about each other") as an indicator of bullying. Parents were more likely than childcare workers to believe that verbal aggression could be considered as bullying.
• The role of the bully and the victim: Parents were significantly more likely than workers to hold a negative view of bullies. Fathers had a more negative view of bullies than mothers.
• Bullying among boys and girls: Parents were more likely than preschool workers to believe that bullying differs with regard to gender, i.e. girls and boys bully differently.

The authors found that the following groups had a tendency to underestimate bullying as a problem in preschool: fathers, low-educated childcare workers as well as older parents.

The data material was collected from 141 parents of preschool children and 81 childcare workers in six preschools. Two questionnaires were designed for this study: one for parents and one for childcare workers. Many of the questions in the two questionnaires were identical in order to be able to compare the responses from the two groups. Four topics were examined: the existence of bullying, interpretation of bullying, the role of the bully and the victim as well as bullying among boys and girls. Demographic aspects such as age, gender and level of education were also compared.

Cameron, D. L., & Kovac, V. B. (2016). An examination of parents’ and preshool workers’ perspectives on bullying in preschool. Early Child Development and Care, 186 (12), 1961-1971.