Educating your children about stranger danger is an important part of growing up; however, it’s vital that you do it in the most appropriate way possible. It’s important to educate, rather than to promote fear. In this article, we are going to provide you with some advice so that you can start teaching your children about stranger danger. Let’s get started.
Explain to them what a stranger is
One of the first steps in teaching your kids about strangers is to explain what they are. By speaking about the definition frequently, they will have a better understanding of the entire topic. While it’s easy to talk about the dangers of bad strangers, it’s also important to identify strangers that are good. For example, police officers, store workers, firefighters, and nurses. Without doing this, they may run or hide from help, which can be extremely dangerous.
Go through different scenarios
The next step is to go through different scenarios with your child, so they are aware of the types of things that a stranger might say or do. For example, they may act as if they are a family friend or try and persuade them to see something ‘cool and exciting’. Again, the goal here is not to scare but educate, so be careful with your choice of words.
Teach them to trust themselves
In most cases, a child might be aware that something doesn’t seem quite right. It’s essential to teach them how to trust themselves and talk about their feelings. This way, they are more open with you, and you can figure out if something or someone has been bothering them. For more advice, have a look at these other ways of keeping your family educated and safe.
Advise them never to walk alone
The buddy system is a great technique to teach your children whether they are walking home from school or ducking into a shop. Having another person with you at all times is a smart move, especially if your child is just getting used to being alone. You might want to think about getting a home security system quote so that you can still keep an eye on them. Most come with excellent surveillance and can be installed around the entire home.
Get them to memorize their details
If a child does manage to get lost, or concerned about their wellbeing, it can be a wise idea to get them to remember their details. Such as their home address, full name, parent’s names, and phone numbers. If they aren’t old enough, you might consider getting a wrist band or necklace with everything written down. This way, you can always be contacted in case of an emergency. However, you should stress that it should only be told to ‘good strangers’ such as the police or firefighters. Check out these ways to help your kids remember everything they learn for more information.
Come up with a code word
A simple technique that many people are choosing to use is a “code word.” This is a unique code that can be told to family or friends who will be picking up the child unexpectedly. While you should still always inform your child directly, even if it is just over the phone, it’s still a good idea for extra protection.
While it certainly is a touchy subject to talk to your children about, it is very important. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to educate them on the subject, in the best way possible, without sparking fear or distress. If you still aren’t sure how to approach the issue, try doing a little more research or talking to your local police.
