How to Help Kids Identify Dangerous Strangers

"Don't talk to strangers" is something parents will often find themselves saying to our children. You may be surprised that many children do not realize what a stranger is. This article will help you teach kids how to identify strangers.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Code word for you and your children

1. Explain to your children that strangers are not people who are 'strange' looking. Any person who they do not know or have not seen before is a stranger.They do not like bad guys on television, monsters or aliens. Strangers are ordinary people. Point out someone who neither one of you know and say, "We are strangers to that person."

2. Tell your children to be aware of any person telling them that either Mom or Dad is sick or injured. Tell them that it doesn't matter if the person claims to know your parents or anyone related to you; they are still a stranger to them.

3. Tell your children to be wary of adults offering them candy or toys, asking for help finding a lost dog or asking for directions. Kids naturally want to be helpful and are unaware that most pedophiles or child abductors are always extremely friendly or personable to their potential targets. Tell your child that adults needing help should never ask a child for help; they should seek help from other adults.

4. If a car comes close to your children or drives slowly around your child and someone they don't recognize is driving, they should immediately tell any and all adults around them. Explain that someone they don't know driving around in a car could be extremely dangerous.

5. Teach your children that sometimes they will meet strangers in safe places such as school or the YMCA. These strangers may be there to speak to them or help them with something. Although these strangers may not necessarily be dangerous, your children should still not go anywhere with them unless their teacher is present.

Tips & Warnings

• Come up with a code word for you and your children. Using the code word can mean danger or that something is wrong without necessarily alerting the stranger. In my family, we use the word 'banana.' I know something is wrong with my child if he uses the code word.
• Review these tips every time your children go to the park or some place they can come into contact with strangers. Make them repeat them back to you.
• Report any and all suspicious activity. Remember that when it comes to your children, it is better to be safe than sorry!
• Identifying strangers can be hard for children and adults alike, as there is no way to tell if a person is good or bad on sight.
• Refrain from teaching children to fear strangers but instead to identify a situation that may be dangerous.
• Although children should always be respectful to adults, they should feel free to let you as a parent know if another adult makes them feel scared or uncomfortable.
• If your child feels uncomfortable, teach them to yell 'No!" loudly and to run someplace safe.

Resources

• McGruff the Crime Dog offers advice.

[JenBrody]

on 6/9/2008 Very valuable information!