Staying Safe: Strangers & Tricky People and Body Autonomy (Multi-Day/Camp Style)
What's included
4 live meetings
2 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
"Empowering our kids with the knowledge and strategies they need to keep themselves safe is not important in today's world -- it's critical." ~Jodie Norton (Founder of Safely Ever After) *Please note this class can be listed in the following formats: 1x/week for four weeks, 2x/week for 2 weeks, or 4x/week for one week. Please feel free to request a time and be specific about the format. Thanks :) **I have a FLEX version of this class that goes into greater detail and allows for your learner to experience the content at their pace. https://outschool.com/classes/safety-strangers-and-tricky-people-io1xxgIh?usid=VbdChdTp&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link ***I also run this as single classes in a 5 part series. You can see what parents have said about the class here: https://outschool.com/classes/staying-safe-strangers-and-tricky-people-part-1-ylPdOl8l?usid=VbdChdTp&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link I am excited for learners to enjoy some of the most popular and important classes I teach "camp style". Join me for this five-session camp to discuss strangers & tricky people, being the "boss of their body", and assertiveness. Learners will be training to become "tricky people detectives" as they work through these five important classes: Day 1: Defining Strangers & Tricky People The goal of day 1 is to create an engaging and relaxed learning environment while introducing fundamental concepts about strangers and tricky people. Discussion Points: Students will be introduced to the concept of becoming "Tricky People Detectives," adding an element of fun to the training course. We will discuss the definition of strangers and popular safety rules related to interacting with strangers. Learners will understand that tricky people can be strangers or even people they know, including "big kids" and adults. We will learn how to spot tricky people by paying attention to various clues, which will be covered throughout the course. The focus of learning about this topic is not to instill fear but rather to prepare ourselves "just in case." I will provide examples of how we approach safety education in a proactive manner. We will explore the concept of "trusted adults," and learners will be encouraged to complete a section in their "detective notebooks" to identify their trusted adults. (notebooks will be sent in the welcome email and posted in the classroom after class) Day 2: Body Autonomy - "I'm the boss of my body!" Key Focuses for this class: -Listening to our bodies and recognizing the "uh-oh" feeling as an important signal. -Understanding the concept of "I am the boss of my body" in relation to our personal space preferences. -Emphasizing the importance of all individuals, including adults, respecting our bodies. -Cultivating assertiveness skills, and encouraging learners to speak up for themselves. After the class, students will engage in an extension activity involving personal space preferences, with the support of a trusted adult. **Please note that while we will discuss body boundaries and touches, the following will be mentioned: hugs, kisses, sitting on laps, and tickles. We will not delve into discussions about private parts or the touching of private parts. However, this topic can serve as an opportunity to discuss these sensitive matters with your learner in a manner that you feel most comfortable. Here is an excellent guide I found that can offer additional support in having these conversations: https://www.heysigmund.com/body-safety-empowering-kids-stay-safe-safe-jayneen-sanders/ Day 3: Detective Time - Tricky People Tricks In this week's class, we will delve into various tricks that tricky people, who are strangers, may employ to harm or endanger children. Some clues and skills that detectives will learn include: -Understanding that even if a stranger knows their name, they are still considered a stranger unless their trusted adult says otherwise. -Recognizing that safe strangers never ask kids to go with them without their trusted adult present. -Encouraging learners to seek their trusted adult's assistance if a stranger asks them for help. -Emphasizing that safe strangers should not offer things to kids, such as candy or toys, without consulting a trusted adult first. We should not even go to see what they have to offer. Day 4: Tricky People that I Know & Secrets In this class, we will discuss and answer the following: -Who are tricky people that I know and where might I spot them? This discussion is intended to make learners good detectives "just in case" and not to scare them. -Tricky people use fun secrets to gain trust. Students will learn the safety rule "I never keep secrets with grown-ups and big kids." We will explore the difference between secrets and surprises and how to respond when a grown-up or big kid tries to keep a secret with them. -Learners will understand that safe grown-ups and big kids ALWAYS respect their body. -Learners will recognize how a safe grown-up would respond if told that they felt uncomfortable with their touch. An example we use is when an adult sits a child on their lap without asking. Class will be followed up with an extension activity in their tricky people detective notebooks. Learners will also have a practice quiz to review what they have learned thus far. For more guidance on the "secret rule" read here: https://genmindful.com/blogs/mindful-moments/safe-adults-don-t-ask-kids-to-keep-secrets TRICKY PEOPLE SAFETY CLASS PART 5 Part 5: But what about... In this class, we will be -Reviewing the content covered throughout the course, highlighting the main clues and safety rules discussed with each trick. -Exploring different scenarios related to situations involving strangers. This includes discussing encounters with "safer" strangers that are parents of kids at school or extracurricular activities, friendly store clerks, and friendly strangers with cute dogs, among others. This course has been created to support families in addressing these challenging topics. As we conclude the series, it is important to remind families that they may adjust or add additional safety rules based on their unique circumstances. Families and trusted adults know best how to keep them safe. I will also be posting a message each day after class with a summary of points discussed and questions you can ask your learner(s). Students will also be given a printable "tricky people detective notebook" along with other extension activities to discuss and complete with their grown-ups after class.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
In this camp, we will discuss touching in a very basic way (kisses, hugs, snuggles, touching a leg, tickling). We will not be discussing inappropriate sexual touch. I am prepared to pivot away from a discussion like that if it is brought up (sometimes kids will say "private parts" as they have had these discussions with their trusted adults prior to the class).
Discussing strangers and tricky people can seem like a scary topic for this age, but please know that I work very hard to make it fun by empowering the students and reminding them that "good detectives" need to know these things. Please take some time to look through my reviews, as I have taught this class hundreds of times, and it will help you to gauge if it is the right fit for your learner(s).
Strangers & Tricky People: https://outschool.com/classes/staying-safe-strangers-and-tricky-people-ylPdOl8l?usid=VbdChdTp&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Personal Space: https://outschool.com/classes/personal-space-understanding-self-and-others-CZngfLWz?usid=VbdChdTp&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Supply List
Optional (but highly recommended) printouts to help you discuss important safety topics with your learner(s) after class. You can find the worksheets in the welcome message in the classroom.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ferris State University
I have a degree in elementary education and have been working with kids through teaching, coaching, and childcare for over 15 years. I have extensive experience and expertise working with ESL learners. Also, I am raising three boys of my own ( ages 2, 6 & 9). I am often inspired to create classes that cover subjects I find important in my own parenting journey. I am a lifelong learner and an avid reader. To support my curriculum development I dedicate significant time to reading, listening, and learning about the most current research on child development, teaching, and parenting. The information taught in these classes comes from the most up-to-date resources on childhood sexual abuse and safety.
https://www.rainn.org
https://www.allianceforchildren.org/blog/2021/07/teaching-body-autonomy-how-you-can-help-protect-your-child-abuse
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2015/02/13/its-never-too-early-to-teach-children-about-consent-and-boundaries/
https://safelyeverafter.com/
Reviews
Live Group Class
$38
weekly or $75 for 4 classes2x per week, 2 weeks
40 min
Completed by 34 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 5-8
3-7 learners per class