Teaching kids to be safe

[xkwzit]

Hi
I didn't see anywhere else to discuss this, so maybe a "safety" thread under parenting is needed.

I was wondering whether anyone has suggestions on how to teach your kids to be safe? I feel like I should be teaching my elder D (now 3yo) about things like "stranger danger", how to evacuate the house if there's a fire, etc. She's quite a smart, confident little girl, but also v sensitive and the last thing I want to do is freak her out. But I don't want to neglect it just because its difficult. Any thoughts :confused:

Cheers

[Miss_Vicki]

I tell my little girl the only ppl that are aloud to kiss or hug her (been almost 4 i think its time , preschool nesx yr) Now on tv the other day there was a add with this cd they would send u to teach your kids about stranger danger, they say its really simple an kids do learn from it , Whats the harm in tryin , Sorry i cant think of the name right now,

Its good to put it in a way they wont loose trust in their day care/ school teachers thou :) :o

[Elfin]

Hi everyone

I think it is good to teach kids about stranger danger as early as possible. I introduced stranger danger slowly. I started off by teaching my son never to talk to anyone he didn't know unless mummy or daddy were there. If someone speaks to him at the supermarket he often doesn't respond I will say it is ok to say hello as Mummy is here but praise him for being careful of a stranger.

Then as he got a bit older I told him about never getting into cars with strangers, not to take lollies or money. The why question I answered there are many great people in this world but there are a few who try to take children away ( I didn't say kill or harm). I also told him that adults shouldn't ask kids for directions or help finding animals etc. They should ask other grown ups. I also told him never believe anyone who say they know me and it is ok for them to pick him up. I tried not to freak him out but they have to be wary. I have also told him to run into a house/shop or find a grown up he knows if someone approaches him so he can call the police. I think giving them an example of the 'safe people' such as neighbours, teachers, police, firemen, friends helps.

I think a staged approach is best and make it age appropriate otherwise it is too much.

I have also told him that he should never let any grown ups or kids touch his privates or he shouldn't touch theirs. I told him to tell Mummy and Daddy if this happens.

I also think it is good to teach them 000 is the emergency number. I gave my son some examples of emergencies and when he to ring that number.

Sorry this is so long winded but it is such an important thread. It makes me so angry that there are people out there who want to harm children.

Easterlily

[xkwzit]

Hi All

I just wanted to say thanks for your ideas. It's true I don't need to sit her down and tell her everything at once (I don't think she could pay attention for that long anyhoo :) ). Its good to know that it can be broken down into easy stages.

Cheers

[Miss_Vicki]

i rembered the personal safety web site for kids,
www.ditto.com.au

Im serioues thinkin about gettin the cd at one time or anther :) :p

[SweetMazz]

I am pretty sure that Safety... Think it.. Talk it.. Work it... is the Workcover message - but I think it plays true at home... you don't just have to talk it, you have to educate thinking safe and working safe....

What I mean is

Talk - explain safe and unsafe behaviour (personal space, fire evac, stranger danger) etc

Think - do a what would you do if.... scenario

Work - do a practice of whatever you have been talking & thinking about

So if you are talking about personal space - let them know which parts of their body should only be touched by a parent, carer, dr etc... and it what ways (to clean, put cream on, inspect etc) and that they can always talk to mum and dad about something someone has done if he didn't feel comfortable or if he/she thought it was naughty

Then I would ask him, what would you do if one of your friends touched your bum when you were at day care... and we would discuss what he said he would do and maybe give him some more things he could do... "Stop" is always the first thing he should say!!

Then we might do a practice, we would use the same scenario and then I would get him to "pretend" to tell me about it - and I would cuddle him and kiss him and tell him what I would do
(ie discuss with the carers, drs etc)


I hope I haven't gone too overboard withthis is one scenario, I grew up not knowing what was right and wrong, or how to say STOP (and yeah it happened to me) that i feel very strongly about this - but at the same time I don't want to freak my ds out by all the talk about naughty things.

Again age appropriate and situation appropriate is the best way...

A few adds on tv are good - like discussin 000 police, fire, ambulance etc and what you would ring them for... ie fire in the fireplace, or fire on the stove etc...

Good luck and just one step at a time

[Frany]

I thought there was a typo in the OP given that xkwzit says her elder DD is 3yo! :laughing: This must be a record thread resurfacing.

How did you get on with that safety stuff X?

[xkwzit]

Lordy, I can't even remember posting this!! :D (Actually, I've been a little slack :o)

Thanks for the advice Sweet.

[Myztik]

I was just reading the OP and wondering about the same thing :laughing:

[SweetMazz]

Oops I didn't even check the dates - I was just browsing through and thought I would chuck my 2 cents in... and I think its still relevant to be refreshed LOL!! Sorry and Thanks guys!