A Safe way of having a Big conversation about unwanted touch!
Allowed to Say NO! is a three-volume book series that opens an important conversation, in language that kids can understand and enjoy, about recognizing and dealing with unwanted touch. With an emphasis on safety skills, this approach is as easy and simple as teaching a child how to cross a street. We have created lovable characters, beautiful illustrations and adventures to excite a young child’s imagination. By making this subject fun and interesting, children will learn important life skills about safety.
Children, just like adults, know when they are in the mood to be hugged, kissed, tickled and touched, and when they are not. Uncle or Auntie So-and-So might not be doing anything wrong, but sometimes a child just doesn’t want to be touched. We call this having a No Feeling.
In more serious situations, touch can become inappropriate and abusive. Touching a child’s private parts, or exposing private parts to a child is sexual abuse. That’s a No Feeling, big time! This is both illegal and harmful for a child.
If we can teach children to recognize these NO Feelings with simple examples, like being hugged, empower them to say ‘NO!' and ask trusted adults for support, they can learn how to be in charge of their own physical and emotional well-being. This is called giving or withholding consent. By maintaining their personal boundaries and comfort zones , we can help them to stay safe and thrive. Later in life, they will be able to apply these simple child-focused lessons to more complex adolescent and adult issues.