Bullying Conversation Starters + a Fun DIY Super Hero Magnet Craft

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As my daughter started her first year of school, the topic of bullying has been nagging at the back of my head. It’s a subject that isn’t easy to talk about at any age, but I find especially difficult for toddlers. I want her to stand up for herself but I don’t want her to tread on others while doing so. I want her to solve her own battles when she can, but to know to come to me when she can’t. I want her to stand up for others. I want her to know her self worth. I want her to be so confident in it that no one can take it away from her.

October is Bullying Prevention Month and also the second month of school for many kids. It’s about this time that kids have begun to fall into niches for the year. Whether your kids are 4 or 14, there is no better time to talk about bullying than now.

Super Hero Magnetnetflix stream team

The concept of Bullying may be lost on young school children but everyone can relate to a super hero! Kelly Sanchez teamed up with Netflix to create this fun “I’m a Superhero” photo magnet craft to help show your child that there is a superhero inside each and every one of us.

Materials Required:

  • Magnetic adhesive sheet (available at craft stores)
  • Magnetic tape or circles
  • Scotch tape
  • Snap a picture of your child in a “superhero” pose
  • Colored pieces of cardstock
  • Tracing paper
  • Black colored pencil
  • Pencil
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • A Camera or Smartphone, Computer and Printer

Instructions:

  1. Print out a 5×7 picture of your child in their “superhero” pose.
  2. Cut out the outline of your kiddo.
  3. Glue the photo to a magnetic sheet and allow to dry.
  4. Cut the photo out from the magnet.
  5. Make stencils for your superhero outfits by placing tracing paper over the photo magnet. Draw a shirt, pant, shoes.
  6. Using the scotch tape, tape the tracing paper to cardstock and cut out the clothing.
  7. Add fun embellishments like cuffs, belts, necklaces and more.
  8. Cut two triangles out of cardstock and place them behind the shirt to create a cape.
  9. Draw and cut out a mask shape.
  10. Cut eyes out of the mask using the tips of your scissors.
  11. Outline the clothing with your black colored pencil to make it look cartoonish.
  12. Cut pieces of magnetic tape (or use magnetic circles) and glue them to the back of your costume pieces.
  13. Place your child’s photo outline and costume pieces on your refrigerator. Allow them to  play freely.

While your busy crafting and playing, here are some suggested conversation starters:

  • Considering the feelings of others.
  • Thinking before we speak.
  • All of the wonderful qualities we possess that creates a super hero in each of us.

If you’re so lucky as to be dealing with angsty adolescents, a face to face conversation may be a bit to intense. Kids at this age seem to open up better with side conversations. A great way to sneak this in is with a family movie night.

Netflix has 5 movies that address bullying head-on:

middle school movies

  1. Bully
  2. The War
  3. Billy Elliott
  4. The Fat Boy Chronicles
  5. Cyber Bully

As well as 6 great titles to show younger kids the hero in all of us:
Screen Shot 2013-10-18 at 12.41.32 AM

  1. Hercules
  2. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
  3. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
  4. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
  5. Justice League Unlimited
  6. Ben 10: Alien Force

What are some of your tips for opening up the conversation about bullying?

netflix stream team

5 thoughts on “Bullying Conversation Starters + a Fun DIY Super Hero Magnet Craft”

  1. I applaud you. Not every parent discuss this sensitive topic. Your right the earlier you talk about the better. Your a great role model.

    Reply
  2. It is important that bullying be stopped in the schools and playgrounds. I am glad that attention is being paid to this problem.

    Reply
  3. I love that there’s a month devoted to stopping bullying. I feel so sad for kids that get bullied and hurt themselves from that stress. I hope it continues to get press after this month.

    Reply

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