Child Safety
Much of the following information was acquired from the New York times bestselling author Gaven De Becker.  "Protecting the Gift"  This book may be purchased at Page and Pallete Book Store.  Every parent, school teacher, police officer, school administrator should own this book.

 

For child safety classes and more information on how to keep your family safe contact Mike Tomaso, at 928-0984.  He is the owner and head instructor at Tomaso's Martial Arts Academy in Fairhope, Al.  He is also the developer and president of Power Kids Child Safety Programs.  He is available for talks and classes on child safety. He has taught over 10,000 school children valuable child safety skills and is an internationally known child safety expert. 

Visit his website at www.tomasomartialarts.com

 

Get your copy of "Protecting the Gift" from Page and Pallete  and join Mike Tomaso Each month at Page and Pallete as he teaches classes  based on the book.

 

The following is a simple list of things chldren need to know about being safe from abduction or abuse.

 

I f a person makes them feel uncomfortable, they need to know it is okay to seek help or run away.  Many times children and adults ignore their fear of a person or situation because they don't want to hurt the persons feelings, or look silly.   When it comes to your safety don't ignore your feelings, and don't hesitate to leave a situation if you feel you are in danger.

 

Your children need to know that they can talk to you about anything that has happened to them. Even when it is something unpleasant.  Talk with your child about their day and make sure your child feels comfortable talking to you. Let them know they can tell you if they have had something bad happen and that you would never punish them for telling about something that they did or had done to them.

 

 

Children are taught to respect adults and people in authority.  This can be used by child predators to their advantage.  Often children approached by a predator will go with them because they have been taught to obey adults, or simply because they are too afraid to say no or resist.

 

All children should know that they can dial 911 for help and that it is a free call on pay phones.  Children should know that Police are there to help them.  Parents who threaten to call the police or have their kids arrested even jokingly can make children reluctant to call on police for help.  They also should know that just because someone has a badge or uniform does not mean they are a real policeman.  They can call 911 or get a trusted adult (teacher,parent) to verify if that person is a police officer.  Children need to know that they should yell "Help this is not my Dad" or Mom"

 

 

Bullies and criminials like all predators in nature look for weakness.  They want an easy target.  Children need to be taught to be assertive. To say no.  To tell you or the teacher if they are in danger, even if they or their family have been threatend.  Children need to know how to set clear verbal and physicla boundaries.  They need to know that no one should touch them if they don't want to be touched.  That their body is their property and that what their bathing suit covers is private and it is against the law for adults to touch them their.  And that they should never keep secrets from you. (You can explain that parents or people taking care of them may help them in the bathroom and that doctors are in the body business)        

 

We tell our children to never talk to strangers.  Yet they get reprimanded for not talking to strangers. " Say hello to the gentlman " , "Its okay sweetie shake the mans hand" .  Children learn quickly that "never talk to strangers" is a very flexible rule.  In addition, just because someone is not a stranger does not mean it is safe to talk to them.  For young children identifying who is and is not a stranger can be difficult to say the least. Most victims of abuse already know their attackers.  Teach them where to go in a store to get help and where to go at the amusement park or ball park if they get lost.  If there is not a cash register or obvious place to have you paged then teach them to go to "A Lady With Children" And they need to pick the person to help them.  This does not mean that there aren't bad women out there or that all men are pedofiles.  Statistically men are more violent.  Picking a lady with children does not guarantee safety but it is the best choice, statistically.

 

Role play with children about how to talk to the 911 operator and  how they can tell their teacher or you if they are in danger.

 

Let them know that the first priority it to run away.But, if they are grabbed that they should yell, kick , strike, grab on to things to prevent being taken away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Safety should be taught on a regular basis, at home and at school.  A variety of methods should be utilized to accomodate all of the ways children learn.  Stories, role plays, coloring pages, songs, videos, ect..   Child safety instruction should not be frightening.  Child safety can be taught in a manner that is nonthreatening and non fearful.  Music is  one of the best ways to teach young children in a non threatening manner. 

 

Parents should do their own research to make sure the child safety program or information they utilize is research based.

 

Resources:

 

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 550

Arlington VA 22201-3077

703-235-3900

24 hour hotline  1-800-THE-LOST

 

Power Kids Child Safety Program

Tomaso's Martial Arts Acadmey

Fairhope, Al 36532

251-928-0984