Child and street. Encounter with a stranger.
Today, I would like to share my observations and advise parents on what to discuss with their child if you let them play outside alone.
First and foremost, explain to the child that they must stay in sight and never leave without permission.
... Almost every yard has swings and bars. A friend’s son was swinging, and in a second, the boy jumped down, lost his balance - fell, got up, and was hit by the swings on the head. An unpleasant lesson for everyone. It would have been quite simple to explain to the child that jumping off the swings is dangerous; if they fall – lie down, don’t lift your head, hold on tighter on the bars, and when sliding down the slide, wait until the previous child has gone down and moved aside.
... Twin girls from the neighboring entrance organized a game of mothers and daughters. The other kids joined them. It is no secret that our children know how to play with what they find. So the children started to search for and collect everything they could find. They brought a piece of a broken bench with nails, glass bottles from beer, and other finds. I had to leave my observation point by the window and intervene in the creative process – take away the dangerous toys and give a lecture. Here, I would like to remind parents that children can find even more dangerous items. A while ago, teenagers brought a shell they found in the forest to the police station. Fortunately, it turned out to be a training shell. Therefore, teach your children that found items on the street should not be touched. If they find a bag, a backpack, or even a beautiful toy, they should call an adult but not touch anything themselves.
... In the yard, there was shouting, squealing, and general merriment – the children’s favorite yard dog named Monya was playing football with the kids. It all ended in tears. Someone stepped on Monya’s paw in a fit of joy, and the dog bit the first person it encountered on the leg. The mothers in the yard were outraged – a peaceful dog that had never bitten anyone. Someone called the appropriate authorities, and after a while, Monya disappeared. Again, a piece of advice for parents: explain to the child that it is better not to touch animals on the street. Do not approach a dog, even if it is walking with its owner; the dog may attack in defense of its owner.
… A well-dressed man, slightly tipsy, sat down on a bench in the yard. He offered a candy to a girl named Masha, known in the yard for her boundless energy and excessive curiosity. After a couple of minutes, other sweet-toothed kids joined them. After a while, Masha and her inseparable friend Tema decided to show the man the way to the bus stop. The situation was promptly addressed by Grandma Zina, who convincingly pointed out the route to the stranger. As a punishment, Masha and Tema were under house arrest for a week, and vigilant Grandma Zina informed all the mothers in the yard about the "maniac".
Once again, I appeal to parents. Remember that children are usually very sociable; they are delighted with every new acquaintance, but it is essential to monitor that the acquaintance is appropriate. How do you explain to a child when it is acceptable to meet someone and when it is not?
Children are usually introduced to adults by their parents, and this is probably the most correct way to make friends among older people.
Teach your child not to talk to strangers. Children need to know in which cases they can disobey an adult. Explain to the child that they should remember only your instructions and not respond to the commands of strangers. Most parents instill in their children the importance of being polite and respectful to older people, not being rude, and not lying. However, it is often the quiet, well-mannered children who become victims of criminals. They are easier to deceive, especially when they are taught to tell the truth.
Therefore, explain to the child that they should not visit unfamiliar or slightly familiar people, no matter how tempting the offers may seem, and even requests for help should be ignored. Under no circumstances should they enter an elevator or a stairwell with strangers or acquaintances. Equip them with a phrase to explain their refusal, for example: "I am waiting for my mom." Even better, say "dad." Prohibit the child from accepting treats from strangers. A gift is the first step towards contact! Teach your son or daughter not to be shy about attracting attention in emergencies. In case of danger, they should shout: "Help! I’ve been kidnapped! I don’t want to go with this person!" Practice this: few children know how to scream when it is necessary. Instill in the child that they must take action: bite, kick, scratch, run away if a stranger is persistent.
Children should know their full name, home address, and phone number. It is good if the child also knows the phone numbers of neighbors or people you trust, and can use a payphone to call emergency services, as well as their parents at home or work.
Of course, it is impossible to foresee all situations and give advice for every case in life. But it is possible and necessary to teach the child to be cautious. And no one can do this better than parents. After all, it is the attention, love, and care of parents that provide the most reliable and best protection for a child.
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