Interested in Safety Games for Young Children?
Most child predators carefully pick and test their victims. Even though children are not responsible for any abuse, they might prevent it by how they act or what they say. Safety games are effective ways of keeping children safe by training them in a fun way.
Consent Tickling and Tummy Raspberry Safety Games
Children not only need to be told that others need their consent to touch their body, they need to understand what that means. I try to use the word consent in context as much as possible, so even little one’s know the meaning of it. For example: “we need to leave these toys in this yard because we don’t have their consent to use them” while leading the young child away.
An important part of tickling games is always making sure it’s fun for those who’s being tickled. Laugher is an automatic response to the tickling and means nothing regarding consent or well being the child being tickled. By obeying when they say stop/enough or push our hands away, we are teaching them their body, their choice.
<b>I keep on asking for consent to keep tickling or blowing raspberries on their tummy every few seconds.</b>
For example I ask at the beginning “do I have your consent to blow raspberries on your tummy?” If so, between each raspberry I ask “more consent?” They often repeat “more consent”, but sometimes their hands cover their tummy. I respond with “your mouth is saying yes but your hands are say no?” They replied “more”. So I responded with "do you want me to blow raspberry on your hands?" *which were still covering their stomach*. They nodded, so I did that.
Naming All Body Parts Safety Games
There are so many nicknames for our private parts that child’s disclosure of abuse can be misunderstood and missed. I’ve read that child predators avoid children who use the atomically correct terms of penis, vulva (female outer area), vagina (female inner tube). I’m explaining because I had to research atomically correct names of parts that I have as an adult, so I could teach children them.
I like to teach little ones the body parts of their whole bodies many times. It’s a popular game to test a toddler’s knowledge of body parts. Just add their genitals as naturally as the rest.
I found diaper changes and potty training are excellent times to teach what private parts they have. For example: “would you like to put diaper cream on your vulva and I’ll put it on your bottom”. At one point I had to say, “no you don’t need any cream in your vagina.” Then when potty training another toddler: “time to wipe your penis, here’s some toilet paper”.
Stop, Wait, Come Here Toddler Safety Games
This is like the traffic light game. I’ve used these direct words many times with all the toddlers I cared for. During this safety game, I smile and sound excited to make it fun. In a safe large area while we are running around, I stand still and loudly say “stop” with my hand raised palm out in front of me and keep it there while I say “wait”. Then I gesture my fingers repeatedly towards me while I say “come here” (repeatedly if needing). Most importantly, I pick them up and spin them round or do a dance together with happy cheering.
In the very beginning, I’ll hold them with my arms out in front of me during the first few times of this game to teach them the rules.
After lots of repetitions, sometimes toddlers start this game, calling out the words and I’m the one following along.
Sometimes I leave out the wait, other times I stretch out it out. This can be very handy near roads and busy places when they are used the game. I also often repeat "stay close, stay safe" to the children in my care.
If you are interested in games, click the links to find activities for 1-Year-Olds, 2-Year-Olds and 3-Year-Olds.