Do You Teach Your Kids About Body Safety? Ten Things Every Child Should Know
Child abuse is a worrisome public health issue. Because it entails "good touch bad touch talk," parents and significant adults find it difficult to discuss body safety with their children but for kid’s safety play preschools and day-care conducting sessions to make kids understand about all these issues. Many parents put off discussing the matter until their children reach puberty. However, beginning at the age of 3–5 years old, when a kid enters in day-care and preschool there are strategies to teach and reinforce bodily safety!
We may not always be able to protect our children from sexual assault, but arming them with knowledge is a good first step.
Talk to your kids about it. It's never too soon to start. It doesn't have to be a tense discussion. Don't put it off any longer. Start having these discussions right now. The following are the top ten areas to cover:
1. Tell your kids that if they tell you a body secret, they will never get in trouble.
Children frequently tell cousellors that they didn't say anything because they were afraid of getting in trouble as well. The perpetrator frequently repeats this. Tell your children that no matter what occurs, they will never get in trouble if they tell you anything regarding body safety or body secrets.
2. Have a secret code that your kids can use if they feel threatened or need to be picked up.
When your children are a little older, you can teach them a code word that they can use when they feel threatened. Whether there are guests in the house, or when they are on a playdate or a sleepover, this can be done at home.
3. Teach your children how to extricate themselves from dangerous or unpleasant circumstances.
Some youngsters, particularly older peers or adults, find it difficult to say "No." Assist them in making excuses to get out of unpleasant situations. Tell your kids that if someone wants to see or touch their private areas, they can lie and say they need to go to the bathroom.
4. Share details about body parts with kids at an early age.
Early on—very early on—they name body parts and talk about them. Use suitable names for body parts or teach your children what their body parts' true names are. Many young children have referred to their vagina as their "bottom" or other derogatory terms. If children are required to make a disclosure of abuse, their story may become muddled.
5. Teach your child properly about body parts, especially private parts.
Explain to your children that their private parts are called private because they are not visible to others. Explain to them that while mom and dad can see them naked, people outside the house should only see them dressed. Explain how their doctor can see them without their clothes on since their parents are present and the doctor is inspecting their body.
6. Teach your child about good touch and bad touch.
Tell your children flatly that no one should touch their private parts, and that no one should ask them to touch the private parts of others. The second half of this sentence is frequently forgotten by parents. When a youngster is sexually abused, the perpetrator frequently asks them to touch them or someone else.
7. Tell your children that keeping secrets about their bodies is not acceptable.
The majority of abusers will tell children to keep the abuse hidden. This might be done in a positive manner, such as "I adore playing with you," or as a threat, such as "If you tell anyone else what we played, they won't allow me to come over again." If you tell anyone, I'll tell them it was your idea, and you'll face serious consequences. "
Tell your children that bodily secrets are not acceptable, no matter what anyone tells them. Make it clear to your children that if someone forces them to keep a body secret, they must always notify you.
8. Tell your children that no one should shoot or show them photographs of their private parts.
Parents frequently overlook this one. There is an entire sick world of paedophiles out there that enjoy taking and trading objectable photographs of children on the internet. This is a pandemic that puts your children in danger. If you solely discuss body safety, you may be overlooking a dangerous component. Make it clear to your children that no one should ever shoot their intimate areas.
9. Tell your children that the rules apply regardless of whether they know someone or if it is a different kid.
This is a crucial topic to talk about with your kids. When young children are asked to describe an "evil character," they will most likely describe a cartoonish villain. Make it clear to your children that no one is allowed to touch their private parts.
"No one should ever touch your intimate parts," you could say. When we clean you or if you require cream, Mommy and Daddy may touch you, but no one else should touch you there. No one, not friends, aunts or uncles, instructors or coaches. They should not touch your intimate areas, even if you admire them or believe they are in charge."
Childhood sexual abuse is inhibited by information, especially among young children who are targeted because of their innocence and lack of awareness in this area. Have these dialogues on a regular basis. One discussion is insufficient. This is a subject that should be reviewed on a regular basis. Reiterate these messages at natural moments, such as bath time or when kids are running around without clothes.
At Medhaam Preschool & Daycare, Gurgaon we support parents to start off this sensitive discussion through our ‘Get Set for Big School’ workshop conducted every year for our graduating children. This child friendly workshop conducted by our senior faculty aims to empower children to adapt easily in their new big schools, discuss in detail about ‘Good Touch / Bad Touch’ and make them understand the importance of expressing their views on the same uninhibitedly.
