Koala and Bunny ~ Rhino and Elephant ~ Squirrel and Bunny
Instilling Protective Behaviours in Children
Using The Books
It is most important to educate the Parents and Child Protection Workers (Tutors) about the Story of the functions and importance of our openings prior to the book being given to children.
It is recommended that Tutors start the conversation about the openings with Facial Openings, (Ears, Nose and Mouth) as this is less sensitive and personal.
As the tuition proceeds the Children may inquire about their other openings or the Tutors may gently incorporate the other openings into the tuition.
Tutors may choose to use anatomically correct terms in lieu of "Openings" at any stage.
When the children are shown the book and other material, (e.g. the slide show presentation, hand puppet play) because the Tutors are already aware of the story, they are prepared for questions the children may ask.
Tutors should also be made aware of the value of the books as an interactive tool and should be encouraged to interact with the Children through colouring in the book.
This gently opens the door to education of the functions and importance of our openings and is also intended to be fun.
Because both Teachers and Parents had been given training beforehand and are aware what the story is about, the children learn very quickly and effectively.
Because of the sensitivity of this message some Parents may be uncomfortable teaching it.
If this is found to be so, it is recommended that a Friend, Child Protection Worker or Social Worker, may be more suitable to help teach the children the Koala and Bunny Message.
It is also recommended that Parents and Child Protection Workers be asked directly if they are comfortable teaching this message and if there is any hesitation, it may be in the best interest of the child for the Tutoring to be allotted to another person.
Foreword
Through two simple stories, the aim is to help prevent the sexual abuse of children by making children aware that they have private body parts that no one else is allowed to touch or tickle.
When children are old enough to attend to their own hygiene, they should be encouraged to wash and dry the private parts of their bodies themselves.
It is hoped that children will learn that although it's okay for them to touch their own private body parts in private, it is wrong for anyone else to touch, play with or tickle them and its wrong for anyone else to ask them to touch their private body parts.
If this happens, you, the parent, need to know. If a child tells you that someone has behaved sexually, please believe the child and inform your child abuse helpline (usually in the emergency section at the front of phone books).
Youths and adults who use children for sex need help. When the instigator is another child, you need to work out whether this is normal sexual curiosity or a sign that the other child has been abused and is re-enacting what happened.
Curiosity involves same-age children, is short-lasting and consists of "You show me yours and I'll show you mine" - an equal partnership that usually involves looking rather than touching. If the behaviour involves inserting objects, threats, secrets, porn language, requests for oral sex, tricks, or an older child, it is not normal curiosity and should be reported to the child abuse report line.
Why openings in our bodies are special
We have openings in our ears that help us to hear, and we have openings in our nose that help us to smell. Our mouth is a very special opening because it carries food into our bodies and we have to keep it very clean and healthy.
All of our openings are special and we have to take good care of them.
Openings help us breathe air into our lungs, eat and digest food, drink, go to the toilet, feed babies, give birth to babies, make babies, hear sounds, smell things that smell, taste and talk.
Most of the time our openings will look after themselves. One thing we shouldn't do, is touch or play around with anyone's openings, because they are very special, and the smallest germs can spread inside us, and make us sick.
Recommended Use
For young Children it is recommended that parents etc., only read the Story to them. Then use the story of “Why openings in our bodies are special." as a guide to educate in your own way, about the functions and importance of the openings in our bodies.
You can use the information in "Why openings in our bodies are special" as the foundation for a Quiz to interact with children and bring some fun into the stories.
You might ask " Where do we have openings in our bodies", and "What functions certain openings have". This is recommended to be more of an effective, gentle, and enjoyable approach.
Summary
There is a mass of child protection information available through Government, Child protection and health services, such as "What a Child should do if someone attempts to touch their private parts". It is recommended that you seek this information and become fully aware of the current procedures offered by these professionals.
In no way is this book meant to deter children from touching themselves, and this is an issue for you to clarify with your children, in your own way.
It is hoped that this knowledge will be carried through to adulthood, and that older, responsible children, will help educate younger ones.
Koala and Bunny Illustrations and Pre-press courtesy of http://www.nutshellcreative.com.au
Rhino and Elephant and Squirrel and Bunny Illustrations courtesy of Christa Rollin
All Rights Reserved. © 2010, A. Smith.