You are the Boss of your Body

FHE: You are the Boss of your Body

Opening Song: I am a Child of God

Scripture: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” – 2 Corinthians 3:16 Our bodies are temples. They are Holy Places – or at least they should be.

1. Teach children the correct names of all of their different body parts, including their private body parts. Have a younger child do head shoulders knees and toes. Then discuss private parts and different names they are given.

2. Teach children that "You are the boss of your body."

Let children know that they are in control of who touches their bodies and how.

3. Explain to children that there are three kinds of touches.

The three kinds of touches are:

• Safe touches. These are touches that keep children safe and are good for them, and that make children feel cared for and important. Safe touches can include hugging, pats on the back, and an arm around the shoulder. Safe touches can also include touches that might hurt, such as removing a splinter.When you remove a splinter, you are doing so to keep them healthy, which makes it a safe touch.
• Unsafe touches. These are touches that hurt your bodies or feelings (for example, hitting, pushing, pinching, and kicking). These kinds of touches are not okay.
• Unwanted touches. These are touches that might be safe but that a child doesn't want from that person or at that moment. It is okay for a child to say no to an unwanted touch, even if it is from a familiar person.

Touching Safety Rules

Once children can name their private body parts and know about different kinds of touches, you can teach them that there is another kind of unsafe touch that is also not okay. This kind of touch is when someone older or bigger touches their private body parts.

For a young child you might say, "Another kind of unsafe touch is when a bigger person touches you on your private body parts and it is not to keep you clean or healthy. So we have a family safety rule that it is never okay for a bigger person to touch your private body parts except to keep you clean and healthy."

The "clean" part of this rule applies to young children at an age when an adult might help them with diaper changing, going to the toilet, or bathing.

The "healthy" part of this rule refers to doctor visits; for example, when the doctor gives a child a shot. An adult family member should always be present at doctor appointments.

For an older child you might say, "Another kind of unsafe touch is when someone touches you on your private body parts and it is not to keep you healthy. So our family safety rule about touching is that no one should touch your private body parts except to keep you healthy."

Teach children the following safety rules:

• It is not okay to touch someone else's private body parts.
• It is not okay for someone to touch his or her own private body parts in front of you.
• It is not okay for someone to ask you to touch his or her private body parts.
• It is not okay for someone to ask you to take your clothes off or to take photos or videos of you with your clothes off.
• It is not okay for someone to show you photos or videos of people without their clothes on.
• The Swimsuit Rule: Any body part that is covered by a swimsuit is a private part.

My body belongs to me video: http://youtu.be/a-5mdt9YN6I

Questions/Comments?