Did you see Channel 9's A Current Affair's program recently about stranger danger? Every time I see a stranger danger story on the news, or people talking on TV about stranger danger, I use it as an opportunity to remind my oldest about not going off with strangers. I think you can't go over this enough times.
Our lives are busy and talking about stranger danger can easily be forgotten. Do you really know how much of this your child has absorbed? A social experiment conducted in America showed that even though parents had confidence that their child would not go off with a stranger, the child did in every instance shown.
Joey approached parents watching their child in a park. He explains that he is conducting a social experiment on young kids. He asks how often do they tell their child to not talk to strangers. He also asks if their child would talk to him or run back to them. Every parent expected their child would come to them, not go with Joey. Notice each Mum's face when they see what their child does. I would be horrified too. I never want to go through those kind of feelings, as no parent does.
Our lives are busy and talking about stranger danger can easily be forgotten. Do you really know how much of this your child has absorbed? A social experiment conducted in America showed that even though parents had confidence that their child would not go off with a stranger, the child did in every instance shown.
Joey approached parents watching their child in a park. He explains that he is conducting a social experiment on young kids. He asks how often do they tell their child to not talk to strangers. He also asks if their child would talk to him or run back to them. Every parent expected their child would come to them, not go with Joey. Notice each Mum's face when they see what their child does. I would be horrified too. I never want to go through those kind of feelings, as no parent does.
Most people would know about The Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Daniel Morcombe was abducted in December 2003 while waiting to catch a bus. Daniel was murdered. His parents established the Foundation as a legacy to Daniel. Their website is a wealth of information and resources. Whilst visiting their website to write this blog, I have printed off quite a few information sheets for my own family!
They have developed a safety message system:
They have developed a safety message system:
Recognise - React - Report
Recognise is about recognising and being mindful of how your body is feeling. There are clues our bodies give us awhen we feel unsafe.
React is about escaping and calling for help.
Report is about telling an adult who cares about your safety.
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation also has a number of videos about safety you can watch. This video below about getting lost at the shopping centre resonated with me. Every time we go to a place that is crowded, like The Royal Show, a Spring festival or any other event that is big and has a lot of people, I talk to my son beforehand. We talk about contact information and where the agreed place to meet is, if he gets separated from us. I've recently reminded him about approaching a Mum with kids if he is lost. Please watch this video with your child.
React is about escaping and calling for help.
Report is about telling an adult who cares about your safety.
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation also has a number of videos about safety you can watch. This video below about getting lost at the shopping centre resonated with me. Every time we go to a place that is crowded, like The Royal Show, a Spring festival or any other event that is big and has a lot of people, I talk to my son beforehand. We talk about contact information and where the agreed place to meet is, if he gets separated from us. I've recently reminded him about approaching a Mum with kids if he is lost. Please watch this video with your child.
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We have a Family Rules folder. I made this a while ago. I've added a few bits and pieces to it over time. It's starts with agreed family rules like:
* Have manners * Treat others how you want to be treated * Take turns to speak and listen * Respect each other * No lying Amongst a few other things, we also have a list of virtues. This folder we have is the perfect place to keep these printouts from The Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Of course it is easy to go back to their website, but now that I've printed them off to read and discuss, I will keep these in that folder. |
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Perth based Kidzucate runs a Child Safety Program for primary aged children in years 1 to 3. They cover the following topics:
1. All about strangers 2. Your body belongs to you 3. Strangers aren't bad, they are just strangers 4. It's your body "All lessons are conducted in the classroom and each program is hands-on, fun, positive, non-explicit and non-threatening. The programs can be delivered in one session, run over a couple of weeks, or custom designed to suit a school or group's specific need." If you would like more information on this program being run at your school or when the next class will be held, please contact Kidzucate. |
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Does your child know their address? Do they know a family member's phone number or their home phone number? I've quickly put together a simple sheet for you to download and write those details onto.
| Address and phone number sheet |
I hope you find my blog covering stranger danger tips helpful and it gets you and your family talking about stranger danger education and keeping your children safe.
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