When and How do you start teaching your children about stranger danger. I have a 4 year old who is in preschool at a church and I want to teach him about this issue before he goes to kindergarten, but I have no idea how or when or where to begin. Please advise.
Hi. I have a 5 yr old son and had the same concern. A friend found a fantastic book for us. It's The Berenstein Bears Learn About Strangers. This book managed to balance the line between making my son aware of the dangers of strangers without scaring him. It even has a list of rules at the end that we recite. And I really like the fact that in the book they emphasize that not all strangers/bad people "look" scary.
Hey A.! I am the publisher of Parents & Kids Magazine and we just recently did a short piece on stranger danger. It is on our October issue (on-line). Go to www.parents-kids.com and select "Parent Points" from the left hand side. The very last "Parent Point" is about stranger danger and will also lead you to some good resources at www.safechild.org. After November's issue is posted, you'll have to go to the October issue to get to this, (rather than the parent point link on the left) since it won't be in the November Parent Points. My October letter from the editor also talks about stranger danger. While it is important to teach your children to be safe, we don't need to teach them to be fearful. safechild.org has a lot of good information that will help you make your kids safe, without instilling terror into their lives. Here is some of what SafeChild says:
The Stranger Rules Checklist
A stranger is anyone you don't know. You can't tell the good guys from the bad guys by how they look. You are responsible for keeping yourself safe when you're by yourself. You are responsible for taking care of yourself, not for taking care of grownups. Adults who need help should go to another adult.
Instinct is nature's way of talking to you-listen to that inner voice.
Here are four stranger rules you should always follow when you're not with an adult who is taking care of you:
* Stay an arm's reach plus away from strangers. Stand up, back up and run to someone who can help you if you feel afraid.
* Don't talk to strangers.
* Don't take anything from strangers-not even your own things.
* Don't go anywhere with someone you don't know.
For more information, please refer to The Safe Child Book: A Common Sense Approach to Protecting Children and Teaching Children To Protect Themselves, by Sherryll Kraizer, Ph.D. or go to www.safechild.org.
Good luck! G.
My son is also four. We bought the Safe Side video's that are offered by America's Most Wanted. They are never scarey and he really enjoys them.
D.
Our family enjoys the Safe Side dvd, from the Baby Einstein creator and John Walsh, of America's Most Wanted and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It's simple, fun, not scary, but very informative and allows for (and encourages) discussion. The library may have it, but just Google or Amazon it, and it's reasonable, as well.
My children are now seven and eleven years old, and I understand why most parents want to educate their children that strangers are a danger. I refused to do that. I took the path of keeping them surrounded by people I trust. I don't think it's a good idea to teach children fear. I know most people will not agree with me, but I belive it is my job to keep them safe not theirs. I respect that all parents have to do what they think is best. Good luck and Best wishes always.
i know there are some videos out there for the kids to watch and for you to watch with them, i'm not sure of the names, here is the web site for the one by john walsh!!!
http://www.thesafeside.com/?gclid=CJOZlNqKrY8CFQGdPAodVxXkQQ
just go to google and type in stranger danger for more sites.
There is a video by John Walsh and the lady that did Baby Einstein called Stranger Safety. You may have seen it advertised on tv. It features "Safeside Super Chick.: I bought it after a friend recommended it. I got it at the Schoolbox (formerly P&S School Supply) for about $13. My 4 and 6 year olds love it! It is very good and teaches about these issues in a non-scary way. Instead of "stranger" it talks about "don't knows" and "kinda knows" and not to go anywhere with either one. You are supposed to give your child 3 other safe-side adults (besides Mom & Dad) that they can always go with. Good luck.
I got my son the " safe side super chick" movie and he LOVES it and it's great about teaching safety!! It's created by John Waslh - from America's Moast Wanted- and the creator of baby einstien's.
I bought his over the internet, not sure if you can get in in stores now or not, I've had mine for a couple of years.
I would definately recommend this to anyone!
