Teaching Kids about Stranger Danger

Children can be very trusting. They are innocent and they have not yet developed a healthy sense of skepticism about the motives of others. Teaching your children about whom they can trust and whom they should avoid is an important part of safety education.Stranger danger is the easy to remember term used to impart a sense of awareness about strangers.

Stranger Danger

Help keep your child safe by teaching them about stranger danger.

Teaching this discernment is a delicate balancing act. You don’t want your child to come away with the impression that everyone is out to get them. This is not only psychologically straining for the child; it can also be dangerous. There are some instances in which seeking the help of a trusted stranger is exactly what is called for. Read more to learn about stranger danger.

What is Stranger Danger?

Stranger danger is a catchy little phrase that sums up the danger posed by strangers to children. When teaching your child about stranger danger, it is essential to make the distinction between “good” and “bad” strangers. Failing to do so could result in your child avoiding the people to whom they should turn to for help in the case of an emergency or dangerous situation.

Teach your child to avoid strangers with these simple directives:

  • Tell them to keep away from strangers who approach them for any reason and to notify a trusted adult if this occurs. Teach your child to be skeptical of anyone asking for help finding a lost pet etc. There are very few legitimate reasons for a strange adult to initiate contact with a child.
  • Children should be discouraged from accepting treats, candy or any other gift from strangers. It is vitally important that they understand that it is never okay to get in a car with a stranger.
  • Teach your child that it is okay to say “no” to the request of a strange adult.
  • Teach them to run, scream and notify other adults if a stranger grabs, pulls or tries to lure them into a car.

It is also important to teach your child how to recognize a “good” stranger. Make sure that they understand that there are more good strangers than there are bad. Fireman, police officers, teachers, security guards and store personnel are all examples of good strangers that your child should turn to in the case of an emergency or when they are lost or in need of help.

Keeping Kids Safe at Toddler Town

Toddler Town is a safe a secure place to learn!

Our childcare center is a safe a secure place to learn!

At Toddler Town, we are dedicated to keeping all the children who attend both our Evanston and Chicago locations as safe as possible. Every classroom in our center, the playground and both sides of the building are equipped with an ADT video monitoring system. This is to ensure the safety of the children, parents and staff. Also, everyone must provide a personal 4-digit code in order to enter the building.

These security features in combination with a good education about stranger danger will keep your child as safe as they can be. Come take a tour of our facility, check out our security features or contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you!