5 Things to Teach Your Children About Strangers

“Don’t talk to strangers” is a rule that we all have been taught by our parents and taking it forward, we teach our children. We know that not all strangers are bad but still guide our children to stay away from them. But, it is also our responsibility to teach our children the right way to deal with strangers. Children of different ages may require different approach when it comes to teaching the concept of strangers and how to deal with them. Pre-school kids, school-going children, and teens should be made acquainted to the concept with different perspectives. Let us have a look at the ways in which you can teach your children how to deal with strangers.

1. Make them understand the concept of strangers: At the first stage, it is important to teach the concept of strangers to children. Simply explain to them that a stranger is a person whom she/he doesn’t know. And do not always introduce the person in a negative light. It is not necessary that if the person is not known to them, she/he might prove to be dangerous. Yes, it is important to be cautious but not suspicious. Also, teach them the difference in a person whom they don’t know at all, people whom they know a little, and the ones whom they know quite well.
2. Be cautious of the harm: Children and parents ought to be cautious of the threat that strangers may possess. This harm may not only take place in the real world but can also take place online. Parents need to be cautious of the internet usage of their children. Teach them that it is always good to make new friends, but they should be aware of the strangers with whom they should not randomly connect via internet or share personal details.
3. Detect suspicious behavior: Teach your child that talking to a stranger is not really bad every time. But it is essential to understand and detect any suspicious behavior. For instance, if a person asks a small child for help as she/he has lost something then the child should know that in these situations the lost stranger should ask for help from an adult. Also, if a child notices that the stranger looks suspicious while talking to the child and is cautious of other elders around, the child must be careful.
4. Understand the difference in good and bad touch: For the safety of your child, it is very important to teach your child about good and bad touch. Make your child understand her/his own body and its parts and recognize the difference between good and bad touch. A peck on your child’s cheek could be taken as a gesture of affection or could be with a wrong intention. Make your child confident enough to say 'no' if she/he does not feel comfortable with any act.
5. Know whom to reach out to when in trouble: When in trouble, your child should know whom to reach out to. Explain and teach them that not all strangers are bad and when in trouble, they should look around and reach out to people who are safe and protective towards the child. For example, if they are lost in a public place, they should reach to a family with children and ask them for help.