The Joyful Child Foundation provides important safety advice for young children. It’s a good idea for parents to go over these items with young members of the family.
Advice from the foundation includes:
- Big people should never ask you to go with them without letting you ask your parents if it’s okay.
- Big people should not look at you without your clothes unless your parents say it’s okay, like at the doctor’s office.
- Big people should not tickle or touch your body’s private parts — the places covered by a bathing suit or underwear.
- Big people should not tell you to keep secrets or say they will hurt you or anyone else if you tell.
- Big people should not ask you to help them find things like lost pets. They should get help from other big people.
- Big people should not take your picture or give you presents without asking for your parent’s permission.
- If anyone makes you feel scared or hurts you, YELL, SCREAM, RUN and TELL a grown-up you trust — a parent, teacher or principal.
This advice is important for every child. It can provide peace of mind for all involved if children are well-trained in these concepts.
