Re: Safe Bodies, Strong Kids (SBSK) Lesson 6: Keeping My Body Healthy and Clean

 

This week students learned that the only reason any adult, even an adult they know, should touch or look at their private parts is to keep them clean and healthy.

Some great books to read with your child at home:

Gorgonzola: A Very Stinkysaurus – Margie Palatini

The Pigeon Needs a Bath! – Mo Willems

Please feel free to connect if you have any questions about this week’s lesson.

Safe Bodies, Strong Kids (SBSK) Lesson 4: My Body Belongs to Me

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Last week students learned that they can be assertive in regard to their personal space and touch. They can stand up for themselves and say “No” using a strong voice and a strong body if someone touches them in a way they don’t like.

Ask your child to demonstrate using strong body language in situations where they may feel uncomfortable.

Some great books to read with your child at home:

  • Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon – Patty Lovell
  • One – Kathryn Otoshia
  • Don’t Hug Doug – Carrie Finison

Please feel free to connect if you have any questions about this week’s lesson.

Safe Bodies, Strong Kids (SBSK) Lesson 3: Introducing Digital Safety

Last week we learned all about cyber safety. Children learned that even though you can’t touch people through devices, there are still safe and respectful ways to be with people when we’re talking with them digitally. They learned to use polite language and to not share personal information online.

Students also learned that they can stand up for themselves online when they are not feeling safe or respected. They can walk away, turn off the device and tell a trusted adult if something happens online that they don’t like. Ask your child about digital safety.

Please explore these excellent resources to support you in parenting children online.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org

http://mediasmarts.ca/parents

https://protectkidsdigital.ca

Please feel free to connect if you have any questions about this week’s lesson.

Safe Bodies, Strong Kids (SBSK) Lesson 2: Five Reasons for Touch

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

In this lesson students learned about five safe and respectful reasons for touch. The focus is on reasons, not touches because touches can be appropriate or inappropriate based on the intent and the context. For example, a push on a swing can be fun but a push down on the ground is not safe and respectful.

Students learned that it is up to them to decide if, when and from whom they want a touch. The safe and respectful reasons for touch are caring, helpful, fun, healthy and clean. Reinforce this by naming the types of touch as they occur in the home in daily living activities.

Here are some great books to read with your child at home:

Beautiful Hands – Kathryn Otoshi

Mommy’s Khimar – Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Chester’s Way – Kevin Henkes

Nana in the City – Lauren Castillo

Please feel free to connect if you have any questions about this week’s lesson.

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