Protected: gym on Wednesdays
Safe Bodies, Strong Kids (SBSK) Lesson 1: Everybody’s Special
This week in SBSK Lesson 1, students learned that everyone’s body is unique and special. We read the book We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates. They learned that bodies have similarities and differences in size, abilities and interests. Ask your child what differences and similarities they discussed as a class.
To reinforce this message at home you can talk with your child about similarities and differences in family, friends and neighbours. This can be enhanced with photos and books, or during activities where people demonstrate their unique abilities and interests.
Here are some great books to read with your child at home:
The Skin You Live In – Michael Tyler and David Lee
It’s Okay to Be Different – Todd Parr
Whoever You Are – Meme Fox
Your Body is Awesome – Sigrun Danielsdottir
Your child will be bringing home their self portrait today. Please feel free to connect if you have any questions about this week’s lesson.
Personal Safety Program is starting tomorrow
Dear Parents/Guardians,
A notice is coming home today in your child’s yellow communication folder about our Personal Safety Program that will be starting tomorrow. I am copying the notice here, just in case.
Re: PERSONAL SAFETY PROGRAM, “SAFE BODIES, STRONG KIDS.”
The school is excited to let you know that your child will be soon be learning about personal awareness and personal safety strategies. Teachers will be using a program called “Safe Bodies, Strong Kids” that was jointly developed by several school districts in the lower mainland.
Research has shown that children who are taught the correct names of body parts, self-assertive strategies, along with being made aware of how and when to seek an adult’s help, are less likely to be victimized and/or exploited and are more likely to report earlier if they are. (Finkelhor, Asdigian, & Dzuiba-Leatherman, 1995a, 1995b; Rispens, Aleman, & Goudena, 1997; Topping & Barron, 2009; Gibson & Leitenberg, 2000)
Personal safety is one of the learning standards of the Physical and Health Education Curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education. Children, throughout their school education, will learn about various topics including personal safety, personal boundaries and how to seek help when needed.
Examples of topics discussed in the program include:
- Your body belongs to you,
- Safe and respectful reasons for touch
- What to do when a touch is not safe and respectful,
- Scientific names for private parts of the body,
- The “No, Get Away and Tell” safety rule.
Please use this opportunity to talk to your child about what they are learning and practice the safety strategies they have been introduced to.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education.
Many thanks,
Ms. Quin