Don’t create fear in children
Domestic Watch Mondeor group was held on Tuesday July 14 at Sasol Garage, Suideroord.
SUIDEROORD – The subject covered was – “What to teach children without creating fear”. Martin Barber (SOS Protec Sure) gave the lesson to the domestics who attended the meeting, with Michelle Pelser (Mondeor CPF) coordinating. All the Domestic Watch lessons come from Penny Steyn, who can be contacted on 082 461 6968/ email: madpaenny@absamail.co.za
“Children need guidelines and disciplines, these give them confidence and parents need to remember children are children up to the age of 18. As caregivers and parents we need to educate them to become a part of the solution to crime without creating fear,” Martin said.
He added children, if old enough, should be taught how to dial important telephone numbers, 112 which is free from any cellphone and 10111from a landline which will only call the police. Numbers for fire engine or ambulance, 112 from a cellphone or 10177 from a lndline. Older children should memorise the number 32211 who wish to report a crime happening at school, this is an anonymous SMS number.
If a family has a security company the telephone number should be pasted onto the telephone in case of an emergency. Children who carry cellphones should all have an ICE (In Case of Emergency number) and small children should have their parent’s home or cell phone numberprinted on the inside of their school bags.
“Children should be taught telephones are working tools, not toys and should not call the police with a nonsense call which will waste the police’s precious time when they could be dealing with a serious problem which may save a life,” added Martin.
Teach your children the dangers which they could come across in their everyday lives, such as; don’t accept a lift from a stranger, nor sweets or a cold drink if it is open. If you take your child to a mall make sure they understand you have a meeting place if you become separated for any reason, prearrange for you both to go to the management office if this occurs.
Don’t discuss crime of any kind in front of children and don’t allow young children to watch any programme on TV which shows any kind of violence. Make sure that child protection is programmed into the remote control.
“Remember to encourage your child to confide in you and tell you daily about their activities at school,” concluded Martin.
