NORMAN, Okla. -- National school bullying experts gathered in Oklahoma to help teachers learn how to prevent problems in their classrooms, Oklahoma City's KOCO reported.

Experts said teachers and parents should not ignore sexual or racially based remarks that they hear from their children. They said that's a chance to discuss the reasons behind the comments.

National Bullying Experts Offer Advice

The gathering followed several incidents at metro Oklahoma City schools in the past few months, including fights, the discovery of guns and lockdowns.

Experts said bullying sometimes leads to more violent problems, and one out of every three Oklahoma elementary and middle school students have said they've either bullied another child or have been bullied themselves.

"I've been bullied in elementary school," said student Azaleah Cruz. "Nothing racial, just kids' stuff."

Experts said bullying takes many forms and children can be targeted for their race, gender, religion or simply be picked on at random.

FBI statistics said that between 2000 and 2005, school campus assaults rose from 16,000 to 129,000. Another survey found that 68 percent of Latino students reported being harassed or assaulted.

Students at the conference in Norman on Thursday said parents can take a strong role in the fight to prevent bullying of all kinds.

"They should sit down and talk with them and tell them not to do this and to talk to their kids," said student Cynthia Torres.