Dear Families,

Dear JELV families,

During the coming weeks in Guidance we will talk about touching safety. Your child will learn that safety rules include rules about touching.  In the Guidance lessons, children will learn that there are three kinds of touches:

·         Safe touches. These are touches that keep you safe and are good for your body. They make you feel cared for, loved and important. Safe touches include hugging, holding hands, pats on the back, an arm around the shoulder, and a shot from the doctor.

·         Unsafe touches. These are touches that are not good for your body and either hurt your body or your feelings (for example, hitting, pushing, pinching, kicking, and touching the private parts of your body).

·         Unwanted touches. These may be safe touches, yet the child doesn’t want to be touched in that way, by that person, or at that moment in time. It is okay for a child to say “No” to unwanted touches. Children can say “No” to any unwanted touch, even if the person touching them is someone they know. Help your child practice saying “No” in an assertive yet polite voice. This will help children learn how to set personal boundaries for keeping themselves safe.

During Guidance lessons, the children will learn the Touching Rule: A bigger person should not touch your private body parts except to keep you clean and healthy. They will learn that private body parts are “those parts covered by a swimsuit.” It is recommended that you, as parents/caregivers, use the anatomically correct terms when talking with your child about private body parts. This will ensure that if necessary, your child is able to communicate accurately about any touching questions or problems he/she may have.

Thank you for being a partner in teaching safety to your child. I realize that touching safety is a sensitive topic, so please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jessica Dodgen, MSW, CSW

Jessamine Early Learning Village Guidance Counselor