Protecting Kids Without Scaring Them

In " 10 Ways to Teach Your Child the Skills to Prevent Sexual Abuse" published by the Child Mind Institute, Natasha Daniels offers ideas about how to protect children without scaring them.  Her suggestions:

• Name body parts and talk about them early
• Teach them that some body parts are private
• Teach your child body boundaries
• Tell your child that body secrets are not OK
• Tell your child that no one should take photos of their body parts
• Teach your child how to get out of uncomfortable or scary situations
• Have a code word your child can use if they want to be picked up or feel unsafe
• Tell your child they will never be in trouble in they tell you a body secret.
• Tell your child a secret body touch might feel good but they are still not OK
• Tell them these rules apply even with people they know or another child.

For details and nuances for each of these suggested rules, check out Daniels' article on the Child Mind Institute website: "10 Ways to Teach Your Child the Skills to Prevent Sexual Abuse."