Teaching Good Touch/Bad Touch to Young Children

I just flat out told my son that the only people who were allowed to see his private area, defined as the area covered by underware, was mommy, daddy and the doctor with mommy or daddy there. I also told him that if anyone every touched him there without his permission, to tell a trusted adult...even if he was telling on mommy or daddy. We started this around 3 years of age.

Then we role played, like we do for drugs, cigs, doing mean things to others, and yes, the bad touch... I would ask him what he would do if someone wanted to see his private areas and his stock answer became "No, that's private! then I would run, run, run and tell an adult!"

I ask him every so often, and have had to give reminders now and then and re-exlpain, or as he has gotten older, flesh out the explanation a little bit.

Our basic rule for our daughter was always... If someone touches you and it feels wrong, it probably is and you should tell someone. Plus she always followed the "noone should touch you where your bathing asuit would cover" rule.
Good Luck

I agree with Leslie. Remind your children of that every now and then too. Just a quick reminder at this age, nothing too detailed. You're a good mom!

The Too Smart for Strangers Video is really good for this age.. It talks about this exact subject and does not frighten children.
I remember we rented it from Blockbuster.

Here is a wesite recommending other DVD's.

http://sites.google.com/site/playitsafepathfinder/Home/dv...
The DVD Winnie the Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure & Too Smart for Strangers

Winnie the Pooh reviews school bus safety rules and teaches children how to protect themselves in two live-action programs. In Pooh's Great School Bus Adventure, Winnie and the Hundred-Acre Wood gang review basic school bus safety rules. Then, children will learn how to protect themselves and act responsibly in Too Smart for Strangers. Disney Educational Productions c. 2004 Disney. 54 minutes.

Totally agree with Leslie... I tell our kids every once in a while that only a doctor can look at private areas with mommy or daddy at a hospital. I tell them that if someone touches them in the bathing suit area, they are to tell mommy and daddy ASAP... and that no one should touch there. If you are constantly reminding them of this, it will stick in their heads of what to do and what the boundaries are.