Curiosity and sociability are characteristic features of most kids from three to five years old. They are ready to talk about the life of their relatives, the number of rooms and the wealth of the family to everyone without exception.
How to explain the “talker” about the rules of safe communication between people? Especially in a situation where moralizing is not taken seriously.
Below is a plan of action that will help to convey the necessary knowledge and increase safety in the event that a child is lost or left at home alone.
1. Child safety circles
Draw a circle with the baby, and inside, family members and close relatives. Explain that only these people are allowed to kiss and hug.
The second circle is acquaintances, friends, teachers and neighbors, they can be trusted, but you should not talk about what is happening in the family.
The third is outsiders, they should not touch, offer, give, ask about the family or about the child himself.
Well-mannered people do not communicate with other people’s children without the permission of their parents, so they can not answer questions.
Take the drawing with you for a walk and practice. Let the child point out those outsiders to whom he could turn for help if he was lost. Which people are trustworthy and which are not, ask to explain the choice of the child.
Safety rules for parents:
1. Never leave a preschooler at the entrance alone, even for five minutes. Especially in the case when you know that unpleasant personalities live nearby (alcoholics, former prisoners, people with a mental disorder)
2. Do not leave a child alone in the playground until at least 12 years of age. Among the criminals, there are good psychologists who easily take away children without much noise. Always watch the baby, try not to lose sight of him.
2. All people are different
How to teach a child not to trust strangers? Already at the age of three, you can convey that people are different, someone is good, and someone is not very kind.
Appearances can be deceiving, such as the voice of the wolf in the tale of the seven kids, where he speaks kindly, but the intentions are bad.
Sometimes it happens that an unsmiling and strict-looking stranger turns out to be kind. Different people also because their mood often changes.
Even the most positive relative can be rude if something unpleasant happens.
3. There can be criminals among ordinary people.
When you watch a cartoon where there is a criminal in a black mask, please note that in ordinary life, violators do not distinguish themselves by anything.
Usually, they do not behave suspiciously and try to avoid an attack where there are surveillance cameras or a lot of people.
4. Safety rules for children – how to behave with a stranger
To begin with, remember – never demand absolute obedience to adults, because such a habit can end with the child reaching out to a stranger or fulfilling an illegal request.
The kid should be able to say “no” without arguing “what aunt / uncle will think.” Instill simple rules:
- strangers should not approach children unless they are lost
- adults can reprimand if a child misbehaves
- strangers should not treat anything, call with them or ask for a service
- if the child is not lost, and a stranger comes up and starts a conversation, you should say – “I do not talk to strangers”
- when a stranger tries to take him away or grabs his hand, two main weapons should be used – quick feet and a loud voice (help, I don’t know this person!). Explain that it is necessary to get attention, excluding actions such as biting or kicking. A loud voice and noise without hesitation is the most effective way to fight back a criminal and stay safe.
5. Important information – by heart
Phone numbers of dad and mom, home address and surname, patronymics of parents. At the same time, we remind you when and to whom you can tell this information.
6. Dangerous places
Draw safe and dangerous places. It is safe where there are a lot of people – a store, a kindergarten, a bus. Dangerous places are usually deserted, these are construction sites, garages, entrances.
Sort the drawings into groups. During the walk, continue the conversation on this topic. Invite the child to show the most unsafe place where criminals can be.
7. Home Alone and Security
Play a game where you are a criminal who decided to check if everyone is at home. Ring the doorbell and ask – “are your parents home?” The child should answer – “no, but they will come soon.”
The next step for the baby is to call the parents. And of course, explain that the door should not be opened to anyone except people from the circle of loved ones.
In addition, agree in advance that the child should not be near other people’s cars during a walk or approach the car at the request of the driver.
Also, he cannot leave the children’s institution with someone who is not included in the circle of close relatives and acquaintances.
Be a good friend for the baby so that he can trust you and tell the incidents and events that have occurred over the past day – there are cases when a child was abused and silently endured it because he was afraid that he would be scolded or adults would consider the story to be fiction.