Kidpower
Kidpower is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching “people safety skills.” Kidpower teaches people––of all ages and abilities––the skills they need to protect themselves from bullying, harassment, sexual abuse, abduction, and other emotional and physical violence.
For our little ones, “people safety skills” primarily relate to their safety and setting/maintaining physical and emotional boundaries.
Each year, Little Wonders invites a Kidpower instructor to lead a two-hour workshop for adults only. Their Parent and Caregiver Education program includes demonstrations of the skills being discussed, and time to practice them. Participants learn how to use and teach Kidpower skills in their everyday activities so that they can can model it for their children and encourage their everyday use. For more information on the Kidpower program for adults, please visit their Parent and Caregiver Education page.
What “People Safety” skills does Kidpower teach young children?
To Stay Aware so they can notice and Move Away from possible trouble.
To Stay Together with their adults when they are away from home.
To Check First with their adults before they go out the door, gate, or over the fence.
To Move Away and Check First with their adults before they get close to an animal, object, or unfamiliar person.
To Check First with their adults before they go with anyone, even people they know, unless that was the plan.
To use their Mouth Closed Power, Hands and Feet Down Power, and Walk Away Power to act safely with other kids.
To use their Stop Power, Trash Can Power (for throwing away hurting words), and Get Help Power if another child is teasing or being hurtful.
To Wait when you want something and to Interrupt and Keep Asking if you have a safety problem.
To use their “No, Thank You!” Power for unwanted games, affection, or food.
To know what kinds of touch are against the safety rules, to listen to the boundaries of others, and to ask someone to stop in a respectful, powerful way.
To not keep secrets from their adults even if someone they like asks them to.
KIDPOWER RESOURCES for Young Children
Irene van der Zande, Founder and Executive Director of Kidpower, highlighted the following resources, available on their website (must provide email address to download):
Kidpower Safety Signals – for all ages
Kidpower Seven Emotional Safety Techniques – for all ages
For more information and additional resources, please visit:
Kidpower Young Children – program materials for children ages 3 to 6
Kidpower Online Learning – for recorded Fullpower webinars
KIdpower Espanol – for resources in Spanish