Talking Body Safety with Your Child
Summer is quickly flying by and soon children will be heading back to school. We are very excited to bring the Protect Yourself Program to all the first and third graders in Gratiot County. The Protect Yourself program is a series of lessons that teach children about strangers, feelings & instincts, tricks & lures, body safety, and who to tell. This is an awesome program that empowers children with the knowledge of how to be the Boss of their Body. It is also important for parents and caregivers to be having ongoing conversations with your children on a regular basis to educate your child on their bodies and safe boundaries, as well as to normalize these conversations. The more we talk about it, the easier it gets!
What to Discuss:
· Teach children proper names for body parts. This will give children the vocabulary needed to clearly tell if there is ever a problem.
· Use age-appropriate wording. These discussions should start at a very young age and be adapted as children get older. Body safety can be taught without discussing sexuality. Teach them that no one should ever touch them in the areas that their bathing suit covers, and they should never touch anyone else in these areas. Pictures, games, and movies involving these body parts are inappropriate as well.
· Empower your child by letting them know that they are the “Boss of their Body.” They have the right to refuse any touches in bathing suit areas, or touches they don’t want or that make them uncomfortable. Even if it from a family member.
· Secrets vs. Surprises. Keeping secrets, especially secrets about touching are never okay. Surprises are safe, such as a surprise birthday party, gift, or hiding place during hide and seek. Surprises never hurt anyone and are always found out. We never keep secrets about touching.
· Help your child come up with 5 trusted adults they could talk to if someone were ever touching them, breaking body safety rules, or making them feel uncomfortable. Children are not always comfortable telling their parents, so it is important they know other trusted adults they can talk to. Keep telling until someone helps them.
Revisit this safety talk often. Children learn through repetition. Educate yourself. Attend one of our Lunch and Learns, attend a Steward of Children training, and follow some of our favorite body safety websites on Facebook, such as The Mama Bear Effect, D2L, and Educate 2 Empower.
Richelle Davis
CAN Prevention Educator
