Kindergarten, 2nd & 4th Grade Safe Touch Info for Parents-PLEASE READ

2015

Dear Family,

     During this school year, the kindergarten, second and fourth grade classes will receive training in a personal safety program.  This program teaches children skills that will help keep them safe from dangerous and abusive situations.  They will understand that everyone has a right to protect his/her body.  Children will learn to ask for help when they need it.  The children will learn that there are safety rules about touching and that there are three kinds of touches:

• Safe touches.  These are touches that keep you safe and are good for your body.  They make you feel cared for, loved and important.  Safe touches include hugging, holding hands, pats on the back, an arm around the shoulder, and a shot from the doctor.
• Unsafe touches.  These are touches that are not good for your body and hurt your body or your feelings.  (for example:  hitting, pushing, pinching, kicking, and breaking the touching rule.)
•  Unwanted touches.  These may be safe touches, yet the child doesn’t want to be touched in that way, by that person, or at that moment in time.  It is okay for a child to say “No” to unwanted touches.  Children can say “No” to any unwanted touch; even if the person touching them is someone they know.  Help your child practice saying “No” in a strong yet polite voice.  This will help children learn to set personal boundaries for keeping themselves safe.

      In these lessons, the children will learn the Touching Rule:  “A person should not touch your private body parts, except to keep you clean and healthy.”  They will learn that private body parts are “those parts covered by a swimsuit.”  It is recommended that you teach your child at home the correct anatomical names for private body parts so that, if necessary, he or she is able to communicate accurately about any touching questions or problems they may have.  The children will learn the Safety Steps that will guide them to know what do if someone breaks the touching rule or is abusing them in any manner.

Safety Steps

1. Listen to the “uh oh” feeling  (Recognize)
2. Say No (Resist)
3. Go and tell a grown up. (Report)

             Children need to be able to identify adults to talk to, both inside and outside the family, since you may not always be available.  The children learn that it is not their fault if someone breaks the touching rule and that it is never too late to tell.

             The fourth grade curriculum includes information about physical abuse, verbal abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.  This gives students the vocabulary to tell an adult that they trust if they (or someone they know) are being abused.

             Due to the sensitive topic, you are invited to review the material.   You may contact me at 435-279-6783 or 279-8292 if you have any questions or would like to look at the material.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Perry, Education Specialist     

435 E. 700 S.  Brigham City, UT  84302                                                                 

(435) 723-5600 Fax: 435-723-0670  

www.newhopecrisis.org