Beyond 'Stranger Danger' - Protecting Our Children

Headline news is filled with Images from a world wepolice tape around the quick shop indicated a murder
have never known and concerns we have neverinvestigation was still in progress when they went to
wanted to face. Questions are endless: When do weschool one morning. -During thesis years, facts may
begin to arm our kids against danger? How do childrentrigger physical symptoms, including stress, tears and
respond to scary Images? How safe is my child atstomach-ache has. Remind your child of the many
school? - These concerns define the family today.ways you work to keep him safe. Pre-adolescents
Take these four actions to position yourself with thetypically talk less with parents and more with friends.
knowledge needed to be your child's first line of-However, even though thesis teenagers may talk less
defense.to us, they think a lot about what we tell them. -By this
*Know the Facts*time, personal experience influences their definition of
We surely live in a rapid-fire Information Age. However,danger. -Although the word violence triggers Images of
too many facts fall between the lines of our 24-7guns and knives, research shows that 8-12 year olds
headline news. Attend programs on safety at yourare more afraid of emotional cruelty. -Listen carefully
child's school. -Participate in sessions hosted by theas your teen shares bits and pieces about her world
local police department. -Hear about the newestat school. -Sift rumors from facts.
computer filters at the PTA meeting. You will learn, for*Know Your Child's School*
example, that we must go beyond talking aboutPartner with educators so that school is a safe haven.
stranger danger because the majority of molestersIn recent years, disaster preparedness and violence
are people known to the child. -Or, instead of forcingprevention has become a major and sometimes
your child to Give Aunt Clara a kiss, you will learn tocontroversial focus of school administrators. -Peer
end the once-a-year-visit with a smile so a childmediation, anti-bullying curricula, and anger management
practices drawing boundaries for his personal space. -programs are increasingly common. Lockdowns, which
When you shop for music with your teen, you may bekeep students in classrooms for safety, may be
surprised to learn that sanitized version CDs areimplemented if an intruder is on the grounds or an
tucked away in a back corner of the store, far fromarmed person is in the building. Some parents feel lock
the major display. -Take every opportunity to learndowns subject students to unnecessary stress. -A
about your child's world and the dangers she faces.secret codeword, broadcast on the intercom, may
*Know Your Child*signal a potentially dangerous situation. -However,
Development Impacts the way our children understandparent volunteers and substitute teachers are not
and respond to danger, and we should be adept toalways aware of crisis signals and events. -More
equip our children appropriately. Young children, forschools are co-operating with community-wide
example, do not have an accurate sense of time oremergency preparedness drills. -Yet some parents
space. -If they watch a report about a sniper, theyfeel such participation takes too much time away from
may fear the person is next door, even though theacademics. Regardless of the specifics, violence
incident was in the next state. -We must keep childrenprevention and crisis management will continue to be a
away from media scenes which can be frighteningpart of school life. -Even Miss America 2003, Erika
and confusing. -We must also avoid watchingHarold, has issued a national call to action, challenging all
disturbing news when they are around, becausesegments of society to tackle bullying, the element of
although young children do not read books, they doviolence which she faced in school. -As programs and
read emotions. In the early elementary years, fears areplans emerge on the educational front, stay up-to-date
reality-tested. -My children discovered that yellowon strategies to protect your child.