Good Info from: Martialartsinfo.com (internet magazine)
10 WAYS TO RAISE A STREET SMART CHILD
1. GIVE KIDS PERMISSION TO SAY NO TO ADULTS
This gives the program its strong foundation. It is important for children to
have the support of their parents and to realize they have ownership of their
bodies and minds. There should be no forced affection. Let them know that they
have rights just like adults.
Remember what it felt like to have to kiss people you did not want to? It's
fake! If a child learns from their parents that they should kiss someone they
do not want to kiss, then they begin to get confused about the proper limits of
affection. If the situation arises when another adult tells the child to kiss
or touch them, it makes it harder for a child to say no.
In your own life, make sure you honor kids. Ask them if you can have a hug or a
kiss, rather than telling them or just physically grabbing them. Make it their
choice - their decision. The better that they get at making decisions, the
better chance that they will make the right one when Mom and Dad are not around
and they are responsible for themselves.
2. NO SHORTCUTS
Any time a child takes a different route home, he or she is running the risk of
being grabbed with no witnesses. The techniques that we teach for children to
defend themselves against adults mainly focus upon denying abductors privacy,
drawing public attention to the situation, and deriving help from other adults.
Make sure kids know that if they are ever grabbed, they must yell and scream; "Help, you are not my mom!"; or ;"You are not my dad!". This will elicit a much
more powerful response than just a call for help. Therefore, kids shouldn't
take shortcuts through the woods, backyards or side streets where abductions
could occur with no witnesses. Encourage kids to take the same route home each
day. This will help friends or parents find them if they are late. And develop
safe zones with neighbors. A community needs to help protect its children.
3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All children should memorize their name, address and phone number. Parents
names and work numbers are also valuable information to have.
This is extremely important in order for kids to be able to tell the police, or
other helpful adults how to get in touch with their parents. Make sure that
kids know the area code as well, in case they are abducted and are able to
escape to call home themselves. Teach specific drills for dialing 911 and 0 so
that the kids know what to do in case of an emergency at home. Let them know
how serious it is, and that it is only for emergencies. All children should
memorize their name, address and phone number. Parents names and work numbers
are also valuable information to have.
4. WHEN LOST
We all remember a time in our childhood when we got lost and were terrified. We
have also all seen children screaming or crying in stores or witnessed panicked
parents trying to locate lost children. Having a prearranged course of action
should this situation ever occur is a wise strategy. If a child gets lost,
teach them to go to the front of the store and tell someone at the register or a
policeman to please call for their parents. Remaining calm is an important
issue here. It gives kids confidence to know exactly what to do. Tell them to
look for people in uniform such as a policeman or a cashier at a store. If you
are in a store and you've lost one of your children, do not leave the store -
wait at the counter or contact the Lost & Found Department.
