Significance Of Teaching Good Touch And Bad Touch To Children
We’ve seen so many cases of children being abused by strangers or some relatives in the same household. This happens with children or teenagers because lack of awareness. Parents should always look after their children and ensure they are safe and healthy. As a responsible mentor or parent, we always want our child to be safe and secure. In this blog, we will explore the significance of teaching about good touch and bad touch. Furthermore, how can we guide students to comprehend?
Comprehending Good Touch And Bad Touch
Parents should always be friends with their kids so that there is a positive and comfort zone between them. Becoming a friend with children helps parents understand their children better.
Good Touch:
Students need to understand that not all physical touches are good touches. The good touch feels comfortable and safe, it includes caring gestures like a pat on the head or back, hugs, handshakes etc. When someone like an adult touches you and you feel safe & secure, it is a healthy touch. Good touch promotes a feeling of safety and security in children.
Bad Touch:
When someone touches you inappropriately it makes you uncomfortable or gives you physical harm considered a bad touch. Any touch that makes you feel uncomfortable and insecure, like touching your private body parts falls under the category of bad touch.
Significance Of Teaching Good Touch And Bad Touch To Children
Parents should teach the difference between good and bad touch to their kids from an early age. For children, knowing good touch and bad touch holds immense significance in recognising inappropriate behaviour. When parents start to have open communication with their kids, it helps children to feel comfortable sharing and discussing anything. Creating a comfortable environment with children helps parents to know more about their children.
An in-depth understanding of the concept of Good and bad touch allows children to build limitations or boundaries for everyone. They will be able to differentiate between what touch is acceptable or unacceptable. We’ve heard many mishaps happen to young children and they feel uncomfortable discussing this matter with anyone even their parents. Hence, parents should encourage open healthy communication sessions with their children, making children feel comfortable to disclose every secret or bad experience which has happened to them. Teaching children about good and bad touch allows them to learn how important body consent is and they learn who can touch them.
Effective Tips To Teach Students About Good and Bad Touch
Equipping students with the knowledge of good touch and bad touch is very crucial. Here are effective tips for parents to help their children learn about this topic:
1. Teaching From a Young Age:
Being a parent or guardian, you have a responsibility to teach your child about what touch is appropriate and which not. Teaching good touch and bad touch helps children to identify which behaviour is acceptable or unacceptable and not crossing the boundaries.
2. Understanding The Boundaries:
Children must understand that some of their body parts are private and nobody can touch them without their consent, especially private body part areas.
3. Practising Saying “No”:
Children need to say no to those things which make them feel uncomfortable. As a parent, engage yourself in role-playing activities where you’ll be able to teach them when and how to say “No” to anyone who discomforts them. If a child is unable to say “No” to anyone who makes them feel unsafe then people are most likely to take advantage of those children first.
4. Identifying Trusted People
Teach your children to identify which person is trustworthy and what characteristics make someone trustworthy. Let them know not all people are trustworthy and have the same kind of behaviour. Train them in a way if someone makes them feel unsafe or insecure then they should come to you and share everything.
5. Teaching Consent
Teaching the importance of consent to children from an early age is crucial. Teaching children that no one can touch them without their consent. If someone does this repeatedly then they must report it to parents. It is okay to say “No” if a child does not like to be kissed or embraced by some of the family members or any adult which makes the child feel uncomfortable.
Conclusion
In summing up, teaching children about good touch and bad touch is a crucial concept to make them feel empowered and protected. Fostering open communication sessions with children can help parents to understand their children better. Teaching the appropriate and inappropriate touch equips children to navigate the complexities.