Teaching Kids Stranger Danger
Teaching Kids Stranger Danger
One of the main goals held by all parents is to protect their children no matter what. According to the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children, 421,394 children were reported to law enforcement as missing in 2019 (UPMC, 2021). Statistics that provide evidence of high rates of missing children daily support the fears of every parent. What can you do as a parent to protect your children in today’s world? Teach them about stranger danger.
What is Stranger Danger?
Stranger danger is the idea that a dangerous stranger may be always around. It also serves as a guide, when created between parents and children, for rules and safety tips for children to protect themselves. Children can be taught the awareness of what it means for someone to be a stranger at a young age. Many schools start teaching safe practices of stranger danger in primary and secondary grades. Some parents may fear that teaching their kids about the dangers of strangers can cause them to be afraid. Providing helpful rules and tips will help your child be informed and know what to do when approached by a bad stranger. (School Beat, 2021)
How to Talk About Stranger Danger with Your Children
It is important to have a conversation with your children, regardless of age, about the potential dangers that can occur when approached by strangers. The conversation must go beyond stating “do not talk to strangers”. You can start the stranger danger conversation with your child by explaining what a stranger is, that it is okay to talk to strangers when a parent is present and that it is not okay when a parent is not, and that adults making them feel uncomfortable is not okay. (Zimmer, 2021) You want to try your best to make sure that your child knows that you are a safe place and that they can talk to you about adults and places that make them feel unsafe. Another tip is explaining that it is inappropriate for adults to ask children for help or to keep secrets. Creating an understanding of who is a good stranger and who is a bad stranger can also be helpful for their understanding. Creating the rules for stranger danger can be a joint effort between you and your child. (Joseph, Pearl, 2017) Here are some safety rules to start with:
Never taking food or treats from a stranger.
Never allow a stranger to come into the house.
Never get in a stranger’s car or go in his/her house.
Say no and walk away from strangers that make you uncomfortable.
Runaway, yell and find a trusted adult if a stranger makes you feel scared – (teachers, babysitter, police office, etc.)
Never go anywhere with a stranger.
Create code words or signs that only you and your child will know. They can use this to signal that they are scared or in danger.
(Joseph, Pearl, 2017) (Zimmer, 2021)
Additional Resources for Stranger Danger Practices:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92HCKfYakLU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7RhBszp0k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEtJtFEVDbI
Resources
Joseph, B and Pearl, E. (2017, January). How Can I Teach Kids to Be Smart About Strangers? Kids Health. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from www.kidshealth.org.
UPMC. (2021). People Smarts (Stranger Danger). Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from www.chp.edu.
Zimmer, A. L. (2021). How to Discuss Stranger Danger with Your Child. Boys Town Pediatrics. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from www.boystownpediatrics.org.
N.a. (2021). Stranger danger. School Beat. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from www.schoolbeat.cymru.