Prevention is the best medicine. So says psychiatrist Thomas Tarshis, medical director of the Bay Area Children’s Association in Cupertino, CA, and author of Living with Peer Pressure and Bullying, a guide for teens.

Parents, from when their children are a young age, should be aware of what is happening with their children and ready to intervene, he says. Studies suggest that children who are more likely to be bullies and victims can be identified as early as when they are in kindergarten or pre-school.

“I would say that we want parents to be aware of if their child is a victim or is acting as a bully, because bullies may actually have worse mental health, substance abuse and legal outcomes -- winding up in jail as young adults -- than victims,” Tarshis explains.

Here are simple steps Tarshis says parents can take to help prevent bullying in the first place:

1. Be aware of whether or not your child has a group of friends at school. Ask who they eat lunch with, hang out with, play with at recess. If your child is younger, try to volunteer at school or come for lunch occasionally to see how your child is interacting with peers. If your child is older, see if they want to invite friends over or get invited to hang out with their peers. Having a group of friends is extremely protective against being bullied.

2. Help your child with items such as basic hygiene and grooming. Make sure they are dressed appropriately for school each day and have the required materials to participate.

3. Watch for signs that your child may be depressed, anxious or otherwise unhappy with school. Feeling sick, stomachaches, headaches, especially on school nights or Sunday night can be a sign that kids are having problems at school. Sudden changes in behavior, isolation, loss of interest in activities your child used to enjoy, not seeing friends or avoiding discussion about school are also warning signs.

4. Start a pattern of communication with your children from a young age. Dinnertime or bedtime can be one practical time for this. Be a good listener and let your child get comfortable with talking to you about his or her day. Parents often interrupt their children (especially their teens) with advice rather than just listening to them and being empathic. When children don’t feel listened to, they are less likely to start communication and this can lead to a complete lack of interaction, as your child gets older.