When to teach children to recognize bad touches?

Any action that touches the baby's body without the child's consent or permission should be reminded. Of course, parents can be an exception.

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What should preschools teach children?

The role of parents

Experts say that it is never too early to start to educate children about sex. Teaching your child about problematic physical contact helps to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.

The body parts are private and should not be touched by others even at a very young age, even at a preschool age. Singapore Children's Association (SCS) CEO Alfred Tan urges educators and parents to "step up" in teaching sex-appropriate education to children.

Sex education for children is the best way to avoid sexual abuse

SCS runs a free KidzLive program at free, on-demand kindergartens to teach “body safety skills” to five and six year olds. Since 2011, the program has taught more than 5,000 children from 120 kindergartens.

Through storytelling and song, children learn to distinguish between good and bad touches. Children know how to distinguish dangerous actions. For example, when a teacher pats them on the back for good behavior, while a bad feeling is when someone touches a child's genitals.

Children are also learning how to say no, seek help with a trusted adult like a guard, police officer. These are called NOT rules - if your child is being touched inappropriately.

What should preschools teach children?

Some preschools teach children about gender through books and dolls, as well as during routine care such as a daily shower. When the children can access the restroom… teachers will respect them by knocking on the door to help, if necessary.

Children observe these actions, and the ways of respecting each other's privacy are pervasive throughout the school. Some schools also separate boys and girls during their naps.

But some kindergartens do not teach such skills, because teachers feel that young children may not understand them.

The role of parents

Dr. Carol Balhetchet, a clinical psychologist and senior director at SCS, said: “From the age of four, children have wanted to explore their bodies, experiment, touch and explore his or her own body parts and other people's body parts. Desiring to compare this body completely normal. "

And it is parents who understand the development of a preschool child best will know how to teach children properly.

Psychologist Daniel Koh said: “Children develop at different rates, and it is difficult to teach them about the right behaviors before they have at least awareness of body parts. Parents spend the most time with children and can track their development fastest. "