| Nowadays, parents can't be too careful when it | | | | discussing where it is okay to be touched, and where it |
| comes to keeping their children safe in a world fraught | | | | is not okay. It is also important to emphasize the fact |
| with danger. With kidnappers coming up with more | | | | that if they are touched in an inappropriate place, they |
| innovative and clever ways to get children within their | | | | should tell you, their parent, immediately, even if they |
| reach, teaching stranger danger to children may | | | | were told not to. |
| ultimately be one of the most important lessons they | | | | Just like swimming or riding a bike, it is important to go |
| will ever learn. | | | | over all of these above activities to instill them in the |
| Activities for stranger danger depend on age and | | | | child's mind so it will be their first reaction, their first |
| grade levels of children. Younger children can be | | | | behavior in that circumstance. |
| shown a stack of pictures of friends and family. One | | | | Although the internet can be a dangerous place for |
| photo might be of his grandfather. "Family," the child will | | | | children, it is also an excellent source of information for |
| learn. Another photo might be one of the mailman, | | | | activities of stranger danger. There are coloring books, |
| "Stranger," the child will learn. It is important for children | | | | print books, and DVD's available to enable you and |
| to realize that just because they might see a particular | | | | your child with the knowledge and power to both avoid |
| person on a regular basis, this fact does not | | | | such situations, and act wisely during them. |
| automatically make them their friend. | | | | When children are old enough to be left home alone, |
| Children love to act, so why not give them an | | | | there are always rules they must abide by to be |
| opportunity to act out one of the activities for stranger | | | | certain they are safe as they can be. It is always a |
| danger? It might be scary for the child, so reassure | | | | good idea to have direct access by phone to a parent |
| them that it is just Mommy or Daddy trying to teach | | | | or guardian, next-door neighbor and the police and fire |
| them the right way to act if a stranger approaches | | | | department. Some other items to remember: |
| them. Ask them what they would do if a stranger | | | | -Never answer the door |
| approached, what they would say, how they would | | | | -Never indicate to a phone caller that you are home |
| act, take on the role of the stranger. As the stranger, | | | | alone |
| ask the child if they've seen their dog, try to give them | | | | -Never use the stove or microwave unless you've |
| candy, or try to take their hand. What should they do? | | | | been instructed how to and have been granted |
| This is an opportune and ideal situation to teach your | | | | permission |
| child the proper way to handle such inappropriate | | | | -Never invite friends over while alone |
| advances. They should not say a thing, just run away. | | | | -Keep the doors and windows locked |
| If they are pursued, yell, kick, scream, bite and scream | | | | Following simple and effective rules may not only save |
| louder! | | | | your child's life, but by empowering them with |
| It is important for children to know the boundaries of | | | | knowledge, they will feel confident and capable in |
| their bodies. Another of the activities for stranger | | | | standing up for themselves. |
| danger involves sitting the calm child down and | | | | |