It’s that time of year again! Pencils have been sharpened, first day of school outfits selected, and backpacks filled. Across Westmoreland County, kids are heading back to school…which makes it the perfect time to talk about a different kind of education for our children!
Research shows that it is never too early to talk to kids about important topics such as consent and boundaries. This can be as simple as teaching your preschooler that they have bodily autonomy — that they don’t have to hug or kiss anyone, for example, and that other people also have the right to say no to touching — and about body safety. Beyond these basic concepts, it may be challenging for parents to know exactly how to address more complex issues like healthy relationships, consent, and more. We are here to help!
Through our educational programs, we educate thousands of school-aged children in Westmoreland County. These sessions cover a variety of topics, from bullying to harassment to internet safety and dating/domestic and sexual violence, with each program geared towards the appropriate age level. You can access the materials that we use in these programs on our website at our For Parents page. If your child has recently attended or is about to attend a Blackburn Center educational program, you can use this information to continue talking to your child about these subjects. These materials can also be used by home educators or parents whose children haven’t attended one of our programs; it’s a great way to start the conversation!
Experts agree that educating kids on these subjects is critical to reducing the incidence of sexual assault and dating violence among young people. This is why it is so important that we take the initiative in educating the next generation — so that one day, we can stop the violence. As your kids head back to school this fall, please take advantage of the resources offered by our organization. Check out our For Parents page today, and pencil in some time to talk to your kids about these issues — it’s just as important (if not more so!) than any item on your child’s back to school list. If your school, organization or community group would like to schedule a free educational program or training session, please contact us today. Let’s make this the best school year yet!
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