A child might indicate by his behavior that he is being bullied. Adults should be alert to these possible signs. If a child:

• is scared of walking to or from school;
• doesn't want to ride the school bus;
• begs to be driven to school;
• changes his usual routine;
• is unwilling to go to school;
• becomes withdrawn anxious or lacking in confidence;
• starts stammering;
• runs away or attempts or threatens suicide;
• cries himself to sleep at night or has nightmares;
• feels ill in the morning;
• begins to do poorly in school work;
• comes home with torn clothes or damaged books;
• has possessions or money end up missing";
• comes home hungry (money / lunch has been stolen);
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay off the bully);
• has unexplained cuts or bruises;
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable;
• bullies other children or siblings;
• stops eating;
• is afraid to say what's wrong;
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above.

Adapted from a publication of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Look for signs such as:

• fear of going to school
• lack of friends
• missing belongings
• torn clothing
• increased fearfulness and anxiety.

You can find out a lot by taking an interest in what your child does at school. Talk about their day. Let them know you are interested by asking questions about what was good at school today, what could have been better? Don't accept 'Aww nothing'.