Safety Returning to School

Safety Returning to School

Hopefully the holidays have been full of fun and relaxing times but now we are all gearing up, ready to start another year full of learning and challenge. This is a good time to remind your kids of family rules and how to stay safe away from the family home. Kidpower is a charitable trust that specialises in preventing bullying and abuse and they have some top tips to get your kids ready to face the new school year head on.

1. The first subject to talk about is making and changing a plan – kids should learn to tell you where they will go, who will be with them and what they will be doing. They need to learn to ask you before changing a plan and this should become an ingrained habit – this will serve you well as they turn into teenagers.

2. That if they are approached by a person they do not know or do not trust they should stand far enough away to be out of reach, they should not go anywhere with someone they do not know well or trust. Make sure your child knows safe paces to play at school and trusted adults they can turn to for help. This can apply to bullying behaviour in a playground or someone stopping for directions – again your child’s habit should be to stay out of reach and get help

3. If your child needs help, teach them to go to a trusted adult as soon as possible. At school this could be a teacher, other staff member or family friend. It is important to teach your child to be persistent in looking for help if they need it and to keep persisting until their problem is sorted out

4. Make sure your child knows how to look alert and aware and to stay calm and confident. People who look alert and confident tend not to be the victims of a bully or abuser in the first place.

5. If all goes wrong, have a plan in place where you child knows how to contact you or someone else to get help. Have places your child can go on the way home from school if something goes wrong.

For more tips and information on courses and workshops please visit Kidpower at www.kidpower.org.nz or phone us on 0800 KIDPOWER.

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