Child sexual abuse prevention video shown in kindergarten?

[KalamazooMom]

My 5 yo kindergartner (public school) brought home a memo from the principal on Friday saying that the school is planning on showing videos and having a discussion related to the idea that" education is the best defense against child sexual abuse." It says the video they plan to show to the Kindergarten and 1st grade is called "What Tadoo" and the main message is that a child should always "tell" if they are made to feel uncomforatble. Am wondering if anyone else out there has any experience with this program? I have asked to preview a copy and will have a look at it tomorrow. My concern is that my DD is rather "sensitive" and sometimes these things can freak her out more than anything.

[mirlee]

As the parent of a Kindergartener, I would raise holy heck about this. I would not permit my son to see this. We have talked to him about things like this, but we know how he is going to react and have discussed the issues accordingly. I am anxious to hear your review.

[philomom]

So if you know all about it , it won't happen to you? I think not!

[GruppieGirl]

In my dd's kindergarten class a police officer recently visited to talk about strangers. There was no advanced warning.


As for the video; can you ask to view the video before your child does? Maybe the school will even host a parent viewing. Then after seeing the video you can make an informed decision.

[turtlemama77]

I agree with you going to see the video yourself before your child does. Chances are, it's very short. Then you can decide what to do.

In the school where I taught, we had a woman come in and talk about good touch/bad touch with the K-2 grades (she talked about sexual harassment with the older students). It was a very respectful program, and very age appropriate. In cases where parents don't talk about things like that with their kids, I think it's a good idea.

[Sea_Gal]

Be careful

I understand that this subject can be sensitive.
But it should NOT be silenced or overly censored.
Really I do feel that all of this stuff is quite inadaquit.
If it gives any perspective as to why they handle it this way though,
And why I am so passionate about this...
I was molested by my Grandmother at 2.
I was molested by my Uncle at 3.
Raped by my Grandfather at 6,
And in second grade I was molested by a first grade girl, at school,
wile standing in line.
This is a big deal.
But I do commend you on being informed and concerned about your children
Just keep in mind that not every child has that.
And sometime their family isn't their protectors.
The schools have to do something.

[KalamazooMom]

We got the video yesterday and watched it last night. Overall we ended up feeling like it was not scarey or inappropriate really, it was just not very well done and I don't think the messages they were trying to convey were very clear for an audience of 5 year olds. We're deciding whether or not to let her see it with the class. What I think probably would have been better was to watch it with her. We're going to contact her teacher to see about what they have planned for the rest of the discussion after they watch the video. I think we've been doing a better job of talking about these kinds of issues just in regular conversation with her. There's one part about the kid being bullied which is handled fairly well, but other than that I'm thinking the video itself just doesn't have a lot of merit.

[mamajama]

I think it's really good. Especially that you've previewed the video and know that it's not scary. I believe it's important for kids to know all the trustworthy resources available to them other than just their parents. A lot of kids will tell a teacher or other adult before they'd tell their parents.
It would be good to know what else the teacher has planned. I would personally be very comofortable and in fact I enthusiastically encourage schools to do this.
A child is less likely to be molested if the potential perpetrator knows the child is informed about boundaries and will tell an adult.

[MountainLaurel]

Originally Posted by mamajama

A child is less likely to be molested if the potential perpetrator knows the child is informed about boundaries and will tell an adult.

:

[Shantimama]

I agree. My children are well educated and informed about sexual abuse issues but I cannot assume that is the case for every child in the school. I wish it was The sad reality is that most children are not sexually abused by those famous "strangers" we are all so comfortable warning them about, but by family members and friends. Part of the damage done to children is that when it happens by a family member or friend, they know something "bad" has happened but it wasn't by a stranger so they leap to the conclusion that they did something bad, that it is their fault, so they tell no one and the wound of being sexually abused is left to fester. School can be a place to teach those children that what happens in those situations is the abuser's wrong and maybe that their teacher is a safe person to tell. Those are the kids whose parents aren't protecting them or well enough connected to know that their children are sensitive and might be upset - they may have already missed huge warning signs.

If someone is opposed to their child seeing this, rather than raising a stink I would rather see a parent speak to the teacher about their concern and keep their child out of class that day, not risk NOT giving information to a child or children who really need it. Your child may be in a safe loving environment and not need the school to give this kind of tool, but there are kids whose emotional lives depend on it.