Parents are talking about the reasons why it may actually be good for kids to sometimes talk to strangers.
You may actually be doing your children harm if you forbid them to talk to strangers.
(No, I’m not crazy! Hear me out…)
For instance, if your child got separated from you in a public setting, would he or she feel comfortable going up to a stranger and letting them know they needed help? Would your child know what to do in that situation?
If your kids have been taught not to talk to strangers, they may wind up feeling more helpless than they need to.
As your kids grow older, they’ll have to talk to strangers on a daily basis. Teaching them that it’s not OK to talk to anyone they don’t know isn’t the right approach you should take.
Your kids may be perceived as rude and unfriendly if a stranger (it could be your good friend) says hi and then is ignored. (You wouldn’t want others to judge your children that way, would you?)
Helping your kids feel comfortable talking to strangers can be a good thing!
So here’s what security expert, Gavin de Becker, says you should keep in mind as you teach your kids to talk to strangers:
Start simple.
Instead of asking someone for the time yourself, have your child ask a stranger as you’re watching.
If your child needs to use the restroom and you don’t know where the nearest one is, have your child ask.
These simple, short interactions will teach your child that not all people are bad, and that some can be very helpful.
Then, after your child interacts with a stranger, have a short debrief to see if your child was comfortable in that situation, and how the next interaction could be different to improve the verbal exchange.
Talking to strangers this way provides your children with a valuable experience. They’ll learn to not be afraid to ask for help if they ever need it and you’re not around.
So what do you think? Is it a good idea to teach children that it’s OK to talk to strangers? How else can you practice this kind of interaction with your kids? Share your opinions below and get the conversation started!
Teaching Your Teens And Kids To Talk To Strangers [Examiner]
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
so, what’s more important, the prejudiced assumptions of strangers who possibly might briefly think of your child of being rude or your child’s safety? No brainer for me, the latter.