Yes, we tell our children not to trust strangers. But much more often, kids hear: “Elders must be obeyed!” From mom, dad, grandparents, the child hears this almost every day. And the garden? And the school? «You’re still small!» «Do what you’re told!» «Don’t argue with elders!» And the kids listen…
Some children, even knowing how to act in a dangerous situation, are silent. Because they are shy. “Don’t make noise!”, “Behave yourself!”, “Good kids don’t behave like that!” Familiar, right? And the child does not scream, does not resist.
The child must know that he is not helpless. Parents are on his side, they will explain, help, protect. But knowledge alone is not enough. You need the ability to take care of yourself. It is difficult for a small child to quickly orient himself in an unfamiliar situation and make the right decision. Help him, develop the habit of correct behavior. The actions of your baby should be practiced, familiar and unexpected for the scoundrel!
For example, it is not enough to simply say that you cannot accept gifts and treats from strangers. How will the baby act when a stranger (stranger) offers a candy (ice cream, play with a puppy, drive a car, etc.)? Say that mom does not allow? And what will people see from the outside? Peacefully talking adult and child, who then went somewhere. The situation will not arouse suspicion, will not attract attention.
And it’s a completely different matter when a child yells at the top of his lungs to a corresponding proposal from a stranger: “MOM!” My XNUMX year old daughter did just that. I managed to see only the back of the fleeing man… What exactly to shout, choose for yourself. And rehearse. In the form of a game, of course, so as not to intimidate the child.
Next problem. Some children, even knowing how to act in a dangerous situation, are silent. Because they are shy. “Don’t make noise!”, “Behave yourself!”, “Good kids don’t behave like that!” Familiar, right? And the child does not scream, does not resist.
When my girl was eight years old, she again had to fend for herself. We were returning home in a packed trolley bus. I pushed my daughter into the vacant seat, and I myself stood nearby. At one of the stops, the seat next to her became vacant, and a man immediately plopped down on it. First, he spoke to his daughter. She didn’t answer, just looked at me. I winked and smiled at her. «Don’t be afraid, I’m here!» The man, meanwhile, put his hand on her knee, continuing to talk about something. The little one looked at me again, then sighed… and said VERY LOUDLY: “I don’t know this uncle, but he touches me!”
You can imagine the reaction of the passengers. The man, as they say, went out through the closed door. My daughter later told me that she was very scared. She was not afraid of this bastard, no, because her mother was there. It was terrible to say the right phrase out loud. And I was sure that my girl already knew what to do …