Inform children of potential risky situations. Children do not always know when they are at risk. If they are able to spot potential sticky situations, then they will be more likely to stay away from them. For instance, many children are naturally social, so it can be difficult for them to understand the necessity to avoid strangers. The Illinois Early Learning Project says it is more than just telling children not to talk to strangers. Children also need to know that they need to stay close to their guardian in public places. They should only talk to strangers if their parents are with them. Tell children to listen to their feelings. This goes for any kind of threat. If the child is watching another child be bullied, for instance, it will likely make her feel bad, so tell her that when she has these feelings, she needs to talk to an adult about them.
Plan activities that match children's ability levels to reiterate safety rules. Younger children might enjoy coloring pages, while older children can role play possible scenarios of risky settings. To play "Is This a Trick?," give the children several scenarios and ask them to give the scene and thumbs up or thumbs down. For instance, children might give a thumbs down to helping a stranger find his cat, but they can give a thumbs up to going to the grocery store with their grandma. Once children understand the game, they can make up their own scenarios for the class.
Alert children to local resources. Often, this will include teaching them about dialing 911 for emergencies, but it can also include explaining to students what resources are available in their schools. Some schools might have a an anti-bullying program or a counselor who can deal with emotional issues students might have. Tell children what to do if they cannot find their guardian in public. They can look for someone in a uniform, but a lot of times, these people are not around, and sometimes people in uniform are not best equipped to deal with children's concerns. Tell your child to be on the lookout for someone who looks like a mom or someone else who has kids with her if the child cannot find a guardian immediately.