Barbara Oehlberg came to Cincinnati to talk about schoolyard bullies, but her message went beyond the playground.

        “Something's going on with America's children,” said Ms. Oehlberg. “Something right now is going on with America's adults.

        “Our sense of security is now very much in question. We're having a hard time with how to quell the anxiety in us. We're all struggling together. We now feel as powerless as children.”

        Those feelings of powerlessness, instability and insecurity — often triggered by something traumatic — are the underlying causes of bullying, she said. And the time to deal with it is early in childhood.

        The retired Cleveland educator, now an independent trauma consultant and author, was the keynote speaker Saturday at an early-childhood conference for educators, parents and other caregivers, sponsored by the Cincinnati Association for the Education of Young Children.

        About 150 attended the daylong meeting at The Legacy, a conference center in Roselawn.

        Ms. Oehlberg's remarks focused on bullying. Feelings of powerlessness need to be dealt with by the time the child is in the second grade. After that, Ms. Oehlberg said, “We've lost the opportunity.”

        The way to deal with the problem of bullying, she said, is through empowerment.

        “Give them an opportunity to trust their problem-solving skills,” Ms. Oehlberg said.

        One problem is that feelings of insecurity have been heightened by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

        “We know we cannot guarantee safety to our children,” Ms. Oehlberg said. “I used to say it was the Oklahoma City (bombing), but now we have a more horrendous event.

        “We cannot say, "I can assure you that nothing bad is ever going to happen to you.' It's very unsettling. As the world gets scarier we have to find new strategies.”

        One strategy, Ms. Oehlberg suggested, is to note the changing seasons. Fall giving way to winter and, finally, spring.

        “It might be one way to assure children of stability and predictability,” she said. “Plant some bulbs. They will come up next spring. They will bloom and we will be here to see it.”

        Several of the educators at the conference said they found it beneficial.

        “I can use some of the tips she gave,” said Tracie Morrow, who works with 4-year-olds at Pleasant Run Church of Christ day care in Springfield Township.

Police discipline inconsistent
Same punishments, very different cases
Issue 5 campaign moves to forefront
Against Issue 5
For Issue 5
Officers' trial hinges on moments
Fuller wins backing of two groups
Hockey team open to all
Hosts for conversations growing
Job juggles freedom, security
Name's same but doctor's no terrorist
These classes happen at home
Time to prevent bullying short
Tobias could have avoided conviction, prosecutor says
Tristate A.M. Report
Wright State course could benefit NSA
Some Good News
Anthrax scare
As auctions fade, burley future unclear
Burnt trees still a hazard
Hopes of new NKU arena fading
Land now for recreation
Official: Ky. sheriff focus of inquiry
Service agency plans expansion