Helping Kids Stay Safe

A couple of months ago, I discovered a fantastic DVD that helps children learn about stranger safety. It's called "The Safe Side - Stranger Safety" and it was created and produced jointly by Julie Clark (creator of Baby Einstein) and John Walsh (of America's Most Wanted).

It's a great DVD for several reasons. First of all, it's fun and entertaining for kids to watch. Because of that, kids won't mind watching it over and over so that they can internalize the concepts it teaches.

Second, it replaces the outdated concept of "stranger danger" with a new way of thinking. The "stranger danger" concept warned kids away from people they didn't know, but gave them no tools to deal with people they do know - the ones who are far more likely to abduct them or cause them harm. This DVD teaches kids how to deal with people they "kinda know".

For more about the problems with the "stranger danger" concept, see this article. For info on purchasing the DVD at Amazon, click here.

The DVD is recommended for kids 5 and up. I watched it myself first before showing it to my son, so that I would know what it was about. The DVD is upfront about letting kids know that there are people out there who might cause them harm. I think it's important for kids to know that. All the information is given in a reassuring and empowering way. I cannot recommend it highly enough! I wish every child in America could see it.