KEEPING SAFE:
This week on their chosen Monday, the Kindies will be learning Protective behaviours through the program Keeping Safe. Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to the children about:
Children need to learn (at a young age and on a developmentally appropriate level):
• the concept of personal space and how this is different for different people
• correct anatomical names of sexual body parts
• the whole body is private
• appropriate and inappropriate touching. No one has the right to touch any part of our body without permission.
"From the head down to my toes. I say what goes."
The class will be taking part in the Keeping Safe lesson about personal space and body parts. We will be reading stories and emphasising the fact that all parts of their body are private. I understand that the children may laugh and giggle when we talk about the anatomical names, but this is important for every child to know.
Recent research shows that knowing the anatomically correct language terms enhances children’s body image, self-confidence, and openness.
This is in conjunction with the Child Protection Curriculum which has been mandated in all schools in Western Australia.
Please find the lesson outline below if you feel you need to discuss this with your child after their Monday.
Obviously in Kindy we don't label the body parts like the older students, but I use a male doll and a female doll to show and explain the parts of the body during a mat session followed by a song called " My body is for me". I reinforce that " our whole body is private, and we use the term sexual body parts to describe the parts of the body that are usually covered by underwear. These parts are called bottom, breasts, penis, testicles and vagina. All parts of the body are private including our bottom and mouth. No one has the right to touch any part of our body without our permission.
I will teach the children exceptions to privacy so they don't get confused such as there are times when trusted adults have to see our private parts e.g.
Babies and nappy changing
children need help at bath and shower time
Children sometimes need to be examined by a doctor, nurse or ambulance.
and at the dentist.
During a mat session, the children have the right to questions and comments. Alot of the discussion is based around different names for different parts " Well Miss Horrocks I call it a willy" and so forth. I never try to undermine what they already know and what they have been taught at home, however I do reinforce that Miss Horrocks teaches you the proper terminology, so we know all about the same private parts that we have to keep safe.
The Kindies dressed up some craft bodies today so they could put clothes on and underwear, to reinforce body safety and our private parts are under our clothes.
If you have any quires about this program don't hesitate to come in and see me.
Next time we will explore the topic of safe touching and un- safe touching when it comes to body safety. It's important at this age that young children understand the different between appropriate and inappropriate touching.
Miss Horrocks.
