How do you explain stranger danger to a 4 year old?

Alex is probably the least shy child you will ever meet. He talks to anyone and everyone who will listen. If we're out, for instance at a play place or children's museum, he starts up conversations with random parents, telling them his name and will even sometimes offer up our address!!! Yikes!! Of course most people think he's adorable, and all the parents at preschool are convinced he's going to be a politician with the way he works the crowd (he often announces the arrival of each mom as they come in the door for pick up, greets them, and lets the appropriate child know their parents are there!). I love his open personality and love how he doesn't have a shy bone in his body, but it's obviously important for him to try and understand that we don't talk to strangers. I tell him this and he just asks "But why mommy?? Why can't I talk to them??" And I just don't know how to answer without scaring him. I have no doubt in my mind that he would go with just about anyone and it's scares me.

 

Thank you for posting this. It's really been on my mind lately as well!! I remember the guy from America's most wanted and the creator of Baby Einstein got together to make a video. I'm searching for it right now. I have come across a few other things.....

McGruff's advice

Here's another....

Link to video I was looking for! Stranger Safety!

I haven't read through them all yet - FYI - I'm not advocating them, just pointing out the info!!

I'm going in search of the other one!

 

I've not had to deal with this because mine both hide behind me or DH when meeting someone new and wait for us to tell them its okay to talk to them.

 

I highly recommend the John Walsh video: http://www.thesafeside.com/

My boys loved it, and it teaches about "safe side adults", "Kinda knows" and "don't knows". It give vignettes modeling what to do in various situations. It is fun, entertaining, and my kids still will talk about who their "safe side adults" are.

 

QUOTE(sharongl @ Apr 15 2009, 08:42 AM) [snapback]1274004[/snapback]
I highly recommend the John Walsh video: http://www.thesafeside.com/

My boys loved it, and it teaches about "safe side adults", "Kinda knows" and "don't knows". It give vignettes modeling what to do in various situations. It is fun, entertaining, and my kids still will talk about who their "safe side adults" are.

That's the third link I provided! Thanks! I just ordered it!!

It's been weighing on my mind too!

 

I have seen the ad for that video many times but never really knew if it was good or not. Thanks so much for the recommendation!!

 

QUOTE
That's the third link I provided! Thanks! I just ordered it!!

It's been weighing on my mind too!


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I have seen the ad for that video many times but never really knew if it was good or not. Thanks so much for the recommendation!!


Actually, I bought it after my boys BEGGED me for it after watching it at a freinds house. So, I think that says how wonderful it is! They actually still pull it out and watch it once in a while.

 

yes, that video is very cool. There is also a "Berenstain Bears" book i really like about strangers too!

 

Ok, we received the Safe Side video and I HIGHLY recommend it! It was great and they want to watch it over and over. It helps you with discussion points for talking and role playing with the kids!!! :good:

 

Thank you guys for the DVD recommendation!

Has anyone heard of Safety Town? It's a two-week camp/course that covers stranger danger, in addition to a lot of other safety information. It's for kids going into kindergarten. Here is the flyer for the one near me:

http://www.forsythco.com/pdf/files/Safety%...lier%202009.pdf

I've been waffling on enrolling Nadia -- she already knows a lot of this info, and not sure it will be worth it. Maybe I'll just get the Safe Side video instead.

Any thoughts? Actually, I should probably be posting this on 5-11...

 

Thank you so much for the video recommendation. I am going to order it as well. This has been on my mind lately since I asked Leah when a stranger comes up to you and asks you to leave with them what to you tell them. She said, "yes." :woah:

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Apr 21 2009, 09:30 PM) [snapback]1283359[/snapback]
Thank you so much for the video recommendation. I am going to order it as well. This has been on my mind lately since I asked Leah when a stranger comes up to you and asks you to leave with them what to you tell them. She said, "yes." :woah:

Yes.. It's time!!

The kids watched it twice today and really are absorbing it!