Safeguarding: 'stranger danger'

Simona · 19-09-2013, 08:20 PM

How to educate children on 'stranger danger'...tricky at times
Some good advice here

How to Educate Your Child on the Dangers in Strangers | Childcare Network Blog

**Maza** · 19-09-2013, 08:39 PM

Oh my goodness, this is just what I needed. I was wondering how to introduce such a tricky topic and really need to start soon. Thank you.

**sarah707** · 19-09-2013, 08:43 PM

I use traditional stories like Hansel and Gretel or 3 little pigs as a starting point for conversation about stranger danger - we have puppets to help explain as well :-)

Simona · 19-09-2013, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Maza

Oh my goodness, this is just what I needed. I was wondering how to introduce such a tricky topic and really need to start soon. Thank you.

I often find parents ask me how to teach their children... so sharing this is good
I have printed off the page and put it in my portfolio under Safeguarding...should Ofsted like to look there? and I intend to hand a copy to parents so we teach children the same and give them no confusing messages!

**sing-low** · 19-09-2013, 09:15 PM

V. useful, thanks.

**sarah707** · 20-09-2013, 08:01 AM

This news story rattled me - so we have done quite a lot about stranger danger recently -

Chilling experiment shows how children were happy to walk off with a stranger in the park... and it took just 90 seconds to persuade them | Mail Online

xx

Simona · 20-09-2013, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by sarah707

This news story rattled me - so we have done quite a lot about stranger danger recently -

Chilling experiment shows how children were happy to walk off with a stranger in the park... and it took just 90 seconds to persuade them | Mail Online

xx

I cannot open the link...is it just me?

**adedwards68** · 20-09-2013, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Simona

I cannot open the link...is it just me?

Ive just managed to open it, so I think it's you lol

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

Simona · 20-09-2013, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by adedwards68

Ive just managed to open it, so I think it's you lol

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

YES...this time the link opened!

So it was an experiment that woke some parents up to the dangers but...how is anyone going to explain to that child that it was purely a 'put on' experiment...will he be confused if in future it was to happen for real?

I am not really that happy to subject children to this type of trials...who did it beneft?
how do you feel?

**sarah707** · 20-09-2013, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Simona

YES...this time the link opened!

So it was an experiment that woke some parents up to the dangers but...how is anyone going to explain to that child that it was purely a 'put on' experiment...will he be confused if in future it was to happen for real?

I am not really that happy to subject children to this type of trials...who did it beneft?
how do you feel?

I know what you are saying but it was a very carefully controlled experiment.

I think it's very important this sort of message is aired from time to time - parents sit on their mobiles - goodness I've seen nannies and cms sit on their mobiles - then panic looking for the children! You only have to turn round for a moment - how is that keeping children in your sight and hearing at all times if they disappear behind a slide while you are getting a child a drink?

I think we all need to reflect on our outings RAs as a result of this programme - but also do more work with the children.

xx

**Fitrix** · 20-09-2013, 11:31 AM

The point is that our children are brought up thinking bad people look obviously bad. Following this story I sat my kids down and asked what they'd do if a smiley friendly chatty man asked them to go with him to find his puppy. All 3 said they'd go with him. (They are 4 & 5 years old). Even our 13 year old was unsure about "not being helpful and offending a nice man". I then asked them what they thought bad people who took children and were horrible to them looked like. "Mean and ugly looking" was the response. We have to educate our children not to go with ANYONE no matter what they say!

**hectors house** · 20-09-2013, 12:59 PM

It's really hard to find a balance between being friendly and showing respect for people who live in our community but then teaching them not to go with strangers or for that matter people that they know.

Yesterday whilst on a walk to a local lake, I saw and spoke to someone who I knew years ago, as our daughters used to go to same athletics club, this lady works at local Enterprise Centre (Day Centre for Adults with Disabilities & additional needs) and was pushing a wheelchair to the minibus. A few minutes later when feeding the ducks with the children (well bread actually), one of the adults (users of the centre) came over and started talking to me asking how I knew X - I briefly explained that our daughter's used to be friends - he then asked what one of the girls was called, I thought "do I tell him or not" and decided that I would - he then started saying "hello M, hello M" and then said "why isn't she saying hello to me", I then said "well we do teach them that they really shouldn't talk to strangers" and he was upset by this and left. Just wondered what anyone else would have done - similar or different?

**Fitrix** · 21-09-2013, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by hectors house

It's really hard to find a balance between being friendly and showing respect for people who live in our community but then teaching them not to go with strangers or for that matter people that they know.

Yesterday whilst on a walk to a local lake, I saw and spoke to someone who I knew years ago, as our daughters used to go to same athletics club, this lady works at local Enterprise Centre (Day Centre for Adults with Disabilities & additional needs) and was pushing a wheelchair to the minibus. A few minutes later when feeding the ducks with the children (well bread actually), one of the adults (users of the centre) came over and started talking to me asking how I knew X - I briefly explained that our daughter's used to be friends - he then asked what one of the girls was called, I thought "do I tell him or not" and decided that I would - he then started saying "hello M, hello M" and then said "why isn't she saying hello to me", I then said "well we do teach them that they really shouldn't talk to strangers" and he was upset by this and left. Just wondered what anyone else would have done - similar or different?

Better to risk offending the odd adult than to risk our children's safety?! I think you did /are doing the right thing!

**Helen Dempster** · 21-09-2013, 07:15 PM

While discussing this subject recently with my 7yo, he made a good point. He asked "but what if I know the person and you don't?" Fair point, as sometimes we're out and an adult (obviously a mum/dad of a child he knows, not necessarily in his class) says hello and I have to ask him who it is!

He also said what if the policeman is only pretending to be a policeman?

he gave me a headache, and I gave up - I'll have another go soon!