The National Child Safety Council (NCSC) advises that children should learn the difference between ‘good guys and bad guys’ at an early age. ‘Good guys’ include parents, law enforcement officers, teachers, nurses and principals according to the information they hand out in the Safetypup program. While this is not an exhaustive list of ‘good guys,’ it gives educators a place to begin.
Teach Your Child About Strangers
Children need to know that they do not have to obey strangers and that they do have the right to say no to a stranger. They should be taught that most people are not dangerous and that most people will not try to hurt them. However, they should also know what to do should a stranger approach them.
The first set of rules a child should be taught according to the Safetypup Safety News is that should a dangerous person or a stranger ask them for help or for directions they should politely say they cannot help them and go on their way. Children should be taught to keep themselves a safe distance away from anyone they do not know and to never leave with someone they do not know. If the stranger continues to bother them, the child needs to know it is ok to report that person and that it is the right thing to do.
Parents should explain to children what a stranger is and make sure they understand. A stranger should be considered someone the parents and child do not know, someone the child has never seen before or someone whose name the child does not know.
Teach Your Child About Dangerous People
Parents also need to educate their children on what a dangerous person is. Children need to know that there are bad people who pretend to be nice and that they can be big, small, young or old. It is important that your child also know that they can be a man, woman, boy or girl.
Teach your child that if a dangerous person offers them candy, money or pets they should get away fast. They should also stay away from people they do not know who may want to take their picture. These people should be reported to a trusted adult immediately, especially if they ask your child to keep a ‘secret.’
Teaching children these basic rules will help to ensure the safety of your child as well as your own piece of mind. Remember that no matter how safe you feel your community is, it is all too easy these days for a dangerous person to pass through town. It is everyone’s responsibility to watch over and teach the younger generation about safety.
Set Up A Family Code
Knowing who the trusted adults in their family circle are is another precaution parents should take. Teach your child a two word “family code” and change it on a regular basis. Tell your child that under no circumstances should they ever go with someone who does not know the code. No one but the parents, child and person who is asked to pick the child up should ever know the code.
Sheri Ann Richerson - Follow Sheri Ann Richerson on Twitter, Facebook, My Space or LinkedIn. Sheri Ann Richerson has been writing professionally since 1981. ...
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