Learning Preschool Personal Safety

Every parent wants their child to be safe, no matter what the age of their child. For preschoolers preparing to start kindergarten, learning about personal safety is important. For some kindergarteners, school is the first time they are away from the watchful eye of their parents. Teaching safety to children starting school should be at the top of a parent’s to-do list.

What is Safe?

Personal safety for a preschooler may mean a variety of different things. Make sure she understands the difference between safe and not safe. Use the words, “not safe” and “safe” to help a child understand the concept of safety. An example of using safety words is, “Running with scissors is not safe. The scissors could poke and hurt you.” and “Walk with the scissors.”

Until a preschooler understands the concept of safe, learning personal safety will be challenging. Teach your preschool about safety on a level they can understand. Do not assume because your preschooler is three or four he will understand a concept the same way as other children his age.

Who is a stranger?

Just as a preschooler learns the concept of safe, a preschooler must learn to tell the difference between a stranger and family or friend. Give the preschooler examples of each category. Learning these boundaries is tricky. Preschoolers who start practicing these skills sooner will be better able to set boundaries as they grow.

Help preschoolers understand concrete rules, such as, “Never leave with someone unless you tell the adult in charge.” Emphasize this type of rule, rather than the traditional, “Don’t talk to strangers.” Preschoolers are not able to process why it is okay for you to talk to the lady you don’t know at the grocery store, but it is not okay for them to talk to someone they don’t know at the park.

Where do you live?

One great skill for a preschooler to work on knowing is her full name, address and phone number. If your preschooler is ever separated from you, this information is crucial. Teach a preschooler her full name first then work on the address.

Make a game of learning a home address and phone number. Sing your phone number to a tune. Write the phone number down and practice recognizing the numbers. Notice the numbers on the front of your house, as well as the street name. “Read” the address on incoming mail. Repetition of the address and phone number will help your preschooler to learn them.

What is good touch?

Unfortunately, we live in a world where young children’s innocence can not be taken for granted. Teach your preschooler the difference between good touches and bad touches. This is a difficult thing for many parents to do, but parents are the best teachers for this sort of message.

One good way to discuss where on his body touches are appropriate is to let your preschooler know that any location on his body covered by a bathing suit is private. No one should be touching these locations except for cleaning or medical care. Even small children can understand this example and learn what it means.

Keep a preschooler safe by teaching her what the word safe means, rules about strangers, her names and addresses, and the meaning of good touch. If a preschooler enters kindergarten knowing these concepts, she will be more confident and able to set boundaries with other children.