But the response to anyone who tries to push a child into a situation that feels wrong — from a stranger on the street to a friend’s older brother — is the same: Get away and tell a trusted adult.Â. Before their first appointment together, meet any therapists or doctors your child sees by herself. trouble picking up on social cues might not be able to read the body language of the person they’re talking to. was the founding headmaster of Eagle Hill School, a school for children with specific learning disabilities. Why “Stranger Safety” Can Be Tricky for Kids Who Learn and Think Differently, By Understood does not and will not take money from pharmaceutical It’s not a once in a lifetime conversation. Instead, they should learn that certain behaviors are warning signs: for example, telling kids to keep secrets from their parents, disrespecting personal boundaries, or enticing them to go anywhere without telling their parents about it first. They need to be explicitly taught to identify a stranger, to know the potential dangers of talking to strangers and to act correctly if approached by a stranger. Act Out Stranger Danger. Child safety experts recommend a more comprehensive approach that goes beyond stranger danger — one that, “The most important thing that parents need to know is that 93 percent of sexual abuse against children is perpetrated by those known to the child — meaning family, friends, and those they know in their environment, like teachers and coaches,” explains Elizabeth Jeglic, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and author of, . For more Include some family members as well as examples of people they may see on a regular basis, including the school crossing guard, letter carrier, etc. Here are some other things you can do: Supplement what the school teaches. Understood is a nonprofit initiative. Many pediatricians and doctors will make a note to mention how kids are the “boss” of their bodies at each annual physical exam. Here are four key issues that may create safety challenges: Hyperactivity: Kids who are hyperactive might try to keep quiet, as they’ve been taught—even when their gut tells them something’s wrong. Explain the importance … At school, learning specialists might work with them in separate classrooms for one-on-one instruction. First the obvious. You should also teach your child to trust her gut; Braun calls this … They may mistake a situation as safe when it isn’t. The My Child Safety website identifies offering candy and asking for help finding a lost animal as the two most common ruses strangers use to approach children 2. That’s why consent is the most important concept kids need to protect themselves from a wide range of bad situations: Children have control over and responsibility for their own bodies.  — When a child decides they don’t want to be touched, either in a tickle fight or when they meet Aunt Edna, parents need to respect that. Lexi Walters Wright. Start with basic body safety. Parents of older children can discuss current events or real situations to educate them about danger. Get a handle on what your child thinks about strangers in order to address misconceptions. “You want them to not feel shame if something happens to them — that you are there to help them and support them, no matter what,” advises Jeglic. Role playing is a reliable, nonthreatening method of introducing safety to your child. That’s why it’s better to use the term “stranger safety” and talk about people who are “safe” and “unsafe,” whether or not your child knows them. Tell the children if a stranger approaches them that they feel uncomfortable with or a person that tries to take them, they need to scream “Stranger Danger” and run the opposite direction. Offenders can look like anyone — A third of abuse perpetrated against minors is committed by another minor; 10 … Define the concept of “stranger” broadly Talk to your child and explain that people not known to us may be very nice and well-intentioned, but also emphasize that some people intend to do us harm. We are better off teaching our children about consent and that no one should be touching them without their permission.”. The Pandemic Will Change the Way Today's Kids Grow Up. Get the best of Fatherly in your inbox, Teaching a kid about “stranger danger” isn’t as simple as telling them strangers are bad and calling it a day. Specific issues like impulsivity and trouble picking up on social cues can make dealing with strangers complicated. 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