Program Details
Goals of the Program
Using the TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING program, teachers and parents join together to teach children essential safety skills. The program creates a safe context for discussing traffic safety, gun safety, and child sexual abuse with children and provides an easy lesson format.
The program is based on research showing that teaching safety rules is more effective than using a feelings-based model. This approach is also considered a more useful way to teach children about inappropriate touching. In fact, evidence shows that children who participate in prevention programs have better knowledge of personal safety skills (Davis and Gidycz, 2000).
The TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING curriculum is divided into two kits—Pre/K and Grades 1–3—that offer a variety of activities. Lessons include:
- Story and discussion based on easy-to-use photo-lesson cards
- Teacher modeling
- Skill practice
See sample lessons and a lesson card.
Learn about developmental assets supported by the program.
Family Involvement Is Essential
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in protecting their children from abuse. Because family involvement is so important to a child's safety, the TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING program offers parents and caregivers the skills and knowledge they need to prevent abuse and reinforce the skills their children are learning in school.
Reference
Davis, M. K., & Gidycz, C. A. (2000). Child sexual abuse prevention programs: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 29(2), 257–265.
