Your 6-Year-Old: Stranger danger

Stranger danger

Kids learn safety lessons in school about strangers and getting lost, but it's wise to reinforce these lessons at home. A growing independence means your child can more easily get separated from you in a mall or be more visible at parks and playgrounds.
提醒自己：最近在家裡應該跟小馨講陌生人的事情，幼兒園時講過，不過就怕她沒聽進去，現在又大一點了，應該可以再講一次，遇到陌生人該如何處理、走失時走麼辦....?

Your 6-year-old now

Growing independence, natural innocence, and a lack of judgment and impulse control can place your child in risky situations. This is a good time to stress messages about stranger danger and safety.

How do you impart these lessons without panicking your child? Offer simple rules, experts advise: "Don't open the door unless you know who it is." "Don't go anywhere with someone you don't know." "Strangers who need help should ask other grown-ups, not kids, even for things like finding a puppy." These rules are easily understood by 6-year-olds; they're like putting on a bike helmet or eating dinner before getting dessert.

Role-playing helps reinforce safety rules. What does she do if someone offers her candy when she's not with a trusted adult or asks for help finding a lost dog?

Have her practice running, yelling "No," and shouting "I don't know this person" or "This is not my daddy." Teach her that screaming and getting other people's attention is the right thing to do in a situation like this. Tell her to go to a store clerk, identified by his sales nametag, if you become separated in a store.

Your life now

Having a hard time driving with a boisterous group of kids in the backseat? Instead of screaming and threatening, let your child know the deal. Matter-of-factly state the effect of such behavior, what you expect, and what the consequences will be: "I'm having a hard time driving. If you can't calm down, I will need to pull over so you can get settled back there and we'll be late for the party."