Date: 22 May 2011, 21:05
|
Preface to Keeping Kids Safe/Personal Safety Curriculum The law requiring that children be taught a personal safety/child abuse prevention curriculum every year has been in place in Tennessee since 1985 in recognition of the fact that, for children younger than school age, the most critical safety net for preventing and stopping child abuse lies with child care providers. While the Department of Human Services (DHS) rules require that a personal safety curriculum be presented each year, it does not require the use of the Keeping Kids Safe curriculum. Instead, the rules state that an alternative curriculum may be used as long as it is approved by DHS. \Keeping Kids Safe, developed by Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, is an updated version of the Growing Up Safe and Strong curriculum that has been in use since 1991 and was developed by DHS in conjunction with the Tennessee Child Sexual Abuse Task Force. Keeping Kids Safe does not require that providers teach children the correct anatomical names for their body parts. Instead, it uses the general term “private body parts”, and provides the correct anatomical names in parentheses in case the provider, in conjunction with parental input, wishes to use them. The curriculum repeatedly emphasizes that the decision of whether or not to use correct body part names must be a joint decision between parents and the provider. In addition, the curriculum requires that the provider meet with the parents prior to the curriculum being taught. In fact, it contains 2 chapters, “Partnering with Parents” and “Parent Meeting Guide”, which are specifically devoted to these subjects. The curriculum also contains sample informational letters and resource activities to send to parents. Every known national child protection expert has found that child protection is improved when children can correctly identify all parts of their body - thus the curriculum recommends that the correct names be used - but it does not require it and instead provides both parents and providers with the information they need to make their own informed choice about what is best for their children. We invite you to read this curriculum for yourself. It is an important resource for improving the protection of children. Introduction and Overview The Problem of Child Abuse The impact of child abuse and neglect is far greater than its immediate visible effects. These experiences can shape child development and have consequences that last years, even lifetimes. Research now shows that the physical, psychological, and behavioral consequences of child abuse and neglect impact not just the child and family, but the community as a whole. Child abuse and neglect can be devastating for children and their families. Numerous research studies have consistently documented a range of negative health, emotional and psychological outcomes for children who have experienced child maltreatment. The immediate physical effects of abuse can range from relatively minor, such as a bruise or cut, to severe, such as broken bones, internal bleeding or even death. The immediate psychological effects of abuse and neglect – isolation, fear, and lack of trust- can spiral into long term mental health consequences including depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, eating disorders and suicide attempts. Studies have found abused or neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems in adolescence, including delinquency, teen pregnancy, drug use and low academic achievement. As adults, children who experienced abuse or neglect have an increased likelihood of criminal behavior, involvement in violent crime, abuse of alcohol and other drugs and abusive behavior. Contents: Keeping Kids Safe Cover Contents Section 1: Introduction and Overview Introduction and Overview Section 2: Protecting Children Parent Responsibilities Help Your Children Feel Loved and Secure Make Sure Your Children are Well Cared For Make Communicating with Your Child a Priority Provider Responsibilities Community Responsibility Section 3: Personal Safety Curriculum What Is a Personal Safety Curriculum? Effective Use of the Curriculum Guidelines for Child Safety Programs Philosophy: Scope of the Problem: Goals of Personal Safety Programs: Content of Effective Programs: Preparation: Format: Essential Elements of Programs: Section 4: Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions and Indicators Risk Factors Protective Factors Reporting Abuse and Neglect Tennessee Statutes Regarding Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Section 5: Keeping Kids Safe Curriculum Contents Teaching the Curriculum What the Curriculum Contains Who Is to Receive this Curriculum When to Present the Curriculum Using Hand Puppets As a Group Motivator/Storyteller What If They Don’t Listen Use of Terminology for Genitals If a Child Discloses in the Group If Children Were Taught the Curriculum Last Year Questions and Answers Unit 1: Self Esteem Session 1: I Am Unique Session 2: I Am Special Session 3: I Am Important Session 4: I Am Fantastic Session 5: I Am Loved Unit 2: Family and Friends Session 1: All Kinds of Families Session 2: Families Love and Care For Each Other Session 3: Friends are Special Session 4: Friends Care About Each Other Session 5: Trusting Family and Friends Unit 3: Feelings Session 1: Sad/Glad/Happy/Mad Session 2: Surprised and Excited Session 3: Scared Session 4: Growing Up Session 5: Stand Up for Myself Feelings Review - Additional Activities Unit 4: Problem Solving Session 1: Listening Session 2: Cooperation Session 3: Choices Session 4: Choices Session 5: Asking for Help Unit 5: Personal Safety (general) Session 1: My Body Belongs To Me Session 2: Every Part Has a Name Session 3: Taking Care of Me Session 4: Private Body Parts Unit 5: Personal Safety (Age 4 and older) Session 1: Diapers Session 2: Visit to the Doctor Session 3: Momma’s Friend Session 3: Momma’s Friend (adapted version) Session 4: A Secret Session 4: A Secret (adaptation) Session 4: Uncle Mark Unit 6: Safety Around Me Session 1: Street Safety Session 2: Riding Toy Safety Session 3: Fire Safety Session 4: Water Safety Session 5: Car Safety Session 6: Strangers Questions and Answers Meeting Our New Friends Jose’s Birthday Jose Helps I Am Fantastic Princess Farina and the Magic Glasses I Am Loved Questions and Answers Frequently Asked Questions Section 6: Partnering with Parents Letters to Parents with Attachments: Activities You Can Do At Home Section 7: Parent Meeting Guide Parent Power Session 1—Communicating with Our Young Kids Session 2 Child Abuse Warning Signals (Yellow Lights: Slow Down!) Parent Group Icebreakers References Character Sketches Section 8: Resources References Character Sketches
|
DISCLAIMER:
This site does not store Keeping Kids Safe on its server. We only index and link to Keeping Kids Safe provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete Keeping Kids Safe if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
|
|
|