[Guest Blog] Effective Ways to Talk to Your Preschooler about Personal Safety.

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a great one.”

Jill Churchill

Talking to your young children about personal safety is a great way to let them know what's expected of them and give them the tools they need to keep out of trouble. However, it can be tricky to talk to your kids in a way that gets them interested in the topic without scaring or traumatizing them. If you want to protect your child, there are some effective ways you can talk to him about personal safety.

Here is how; let's find out.

Start talking to your child early.

It's essential to start talking to your child about personal safety early. Some parents wait too long, thinking it's not yet an issue. But you should speak to your child about personal safety as soon as she is old enough to understand. It's essential to develop the habit of talking with your child from the beginning. It will be a natural part of your relationship by the time she starts school.

Realize that kids learn by example.

When teaching your child personal safety, realize that kids learn by example. Parents can considerably impact their children and how they handle themselves in potentially threatening situations. There is no more practical way to help your children learn about personal safety than acting as a good role model.

The key is showing your child that you value physical boundaries, respect privacy, and are willing to listen. This means not invading your child's space when they are uncomfortable with it—for instance, when they want alone time or need to use the bathroom.  It also means respecting their privacy—not going through their bags or reading their diaries. And lastly, it means paying attention and acting as a good listener who will respond enthusiastically to even the strangest questions!

Lead by example and take this opportunity to teach your own children some valuable life lessons.

Develop a Relationship of Trust

The first thing to do when trying to talk with your child about personal safety is to make sure they feel safe talking with you. You can't teach your child how to identify a predator or a potentially unsafe situation if they don't trust you enough to open up. Take time each day to tell them that you love them and make it clear that you'll always be there for them no matter what happens.

Don't make your child do something they don't want to do. This includes undressing in front of them or tickling them when they've asked you not to. If someone else wants to hug or touch your child, make sure it's something they're okay with first. Talk about body parts, including the names of their private parts. This teaches the child that all body parts are standard and nothing should be hidden or kept secret.

Teach the Names for Private Parts

Tell your child the correct names for their private parts and nicknames for those parts. Make sure to also tell them not to use embarrassing words for their private parts around other people. You should also never teach your child that private parts are bad or dirty; instead, teach your child that some parts of their body are personal and not to be touched by others.

Emphasize that Bodies Belong to Themselves.

Explain to children the importance of personal safety. Teach kids that their body is theirs and theirs alone, and no one has the right to enter their space without permission. It is essential to talk to your child about "private parts." These are the body areas that are covered by a bathing suit. Explain that only a few people can touch those parts during a medical examination, such as parents or doctors. And even then, if your child feels uncomfortable during any sort of "touching," they have every right to say so. It is never too early to teach kids about consent.

Ask Them What They Know.

Asking your child what they know isn't just a way to gauge how much of a conversation you need to have with them. It's also an excellent way to understand how your child is learning at school and in everyday life. Asking them these questions lets them know that it's okay if something has happened and it doesn't matter who hurt them or when.

If you ask your child these questions, be sure to listen carefully and let your child finish before responding to feel safe saying everything on their mind.

Practice what to say and do in tricky situations.

It's always good to practice a few scenarios with your child in advance. They'll be prepared if anything happens and know what to do. For example, tell them that if someone scary tries to take them away or touch them where their bathing suit covers, they should say "no" loudly and yell for help. Also, let them know that it is okay to run away from someone who tries to grab or touch them.

If your child is in danger and there are other people around, instruct them to find an adult nearby. Remind them that they can also call 911 if they have a phone.

Most importantly, you want your kid(s) to know that you will always be there for them no matter what happens. Be sure to remind him of this frequently to feel safe and protected.

Be on alert for signs of trouble.

You can help your child to be prepared. Read up on the kinds of behaviors that might signal a child is in trouble, and arm yourself with information about what you can do if you see signs of distress in your child or friends. Sometimes, it's just as simple as engaging them in conversation and asking them what's wrong. You might need to contact someone outside the family who has expertise in dealing with abuse. You'll find some resources listed below.

Teaching your children to trust their instincts and communicate their feelings is a much better plan than trying to scare them into silence with monsters lurking around every corner.

Talking about personal safety is crucial for preschoolers.

People often say to me, "But I don't know how to start a conversation about personal safety." The answer is that you have to start early. My preschooler son is almost four, but he ran up and down the stairs the other day. He's tall for his age, so he stopped at the top and looked back at me with this awestruck expression. 

"Mom," he said, "I will go run downstairs now."

"Okay," I responded. "Be careful!"

"Of course, I will be," my son responded with irritation.

Even if it seems like your child is in trouble, you can have a conversation to help them realize what is happening and how to get help. These conversations will become more frequent as your child gets older. Preschoolers must always know where their parents are if they are in danger; it's also important to be taught who nearby adults can turn to for help.

About the Author Andrea Gibbs

Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web Agency, where she helps create content for their clients' blogs and websites. She is currently a blog contributor at Montessori Academy, a blog dedicated to helping parents with the ins and outs of parenting children within the Montessori tradition. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog.