Make your child ‘Safety Smart’- Tips on Personal Safety

Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless. ~Author Unknown

I recently came across the quote above and it instantly struck a chord with me. We are constantly bombarded by messages on the television about threats on individual safety, which makes us wonder at how safe our children are. Helping them understand the simple rules of safety, in a calm manner is something that works most of the time. A child may be explained to calmly about the existence of people who may want to hurt or harm them. While we are explaining to them our demeanour needs to be calm as If we sound anxious when talking about safety issues, they will pick up on the anxiety that could make them scared and ultimately lead to fear. The important fact of the matter is that instead of instilling fear within them, we need to create awareness.
My ever so friendly 3-year-old daughter will walk up and talk to anyone who smiles at her. This leaves my heart racing at times. It may be rather difficult for a child as young as her to understand that a stranger can harm or that a person who is dressed in nice clothes, stretching his/her hand out with a piece of chocolate can also whisk her away in matter of seconds. It makes me shudder to have a thought such as this, but it also makes me realize the importance of being prepared by educating my children.

Here is how I explain or answer my daughter’s questions about safety:

Child-Mummy, who is a stranger?
‘A stranger is anyone you don’t know- on the road, in the bus, in a party.’Children may think of a stranger as someone who can harm them. This mayscare and discourage them from talking to any unfamiliar person. ‘You know, strangers are not people who always harm; they are simply people we do not know.But there may be some strangers who may want to harm you hence you need to be careful’.

Child-How will I know if someone wants to hurt me?
‘Now that is a little tricky! You should never leave my or your daddy’s side and go to another person. If someone is calling you, then you must tell us. In case mummy or daddy is not around for example; when you are in a birthday party or an outing from school, then you must know the difference between the good touch and the bad touch’. I then go on to explain about theareas of her body, which cannot be touched by anyone. I show her how a casual hand shake, a playful pat on the back is friendly and finebut a touch around the chest area or around the thighs are wrong and she needs to run away immediately to someone safe. An older child may be encouraged to follow their own instincts and not trusting people, who they feel uncomfortable around.
However, research has shown that a child is likely to be harmed more by an acquaintance than a stranger, as it is easier for a child to trust a familiar face.

Child-Who are the safe people Mummy?
‘If you ever find yourself separated from me or your school friends in a public place, you can look for people such as security guards, cashiers or people in uniforms in stores, policemen and your teacher(if you are at an outing from school)’. If Children can be made aware of the people they can approach if lost, separated from an adult or if they feel they are being followed or watched by a stranger then they are much more confident of themselves (when they are not accompanied by their parents).

Child- why do you attach this small piece tag onto my clothes every time I go out?

‘I do this to ensure your safety when in a crowded public place.This tag has your name, address and my phone number and is attached to the inside of your dress/t-shirt. If you are separated from me or any adult accompanying you, you can approach the safe people I told you about and show the tag. They will get in touch with us to bring you home’.


Child- Can I take sweets or gifts from someone I don’t know?

‘It is better not to take something from someone you don’t know. They may give you magic sweet and if you eat it you may get hurt; remember snow white, she took the apple from an old lady who she did not know and the apple ended up hurting snow white. You must politely say no and walk away from that person’.

Children between the ages of 3 years to 7 years may not understand the concept of kidnapping and physical abuse. When explaining to my child, I avoid using words or phrases, which may frighten her. Some examples are below:
•They may hit/punch you,
•Pull you by your hair or drag you,
•Forcefully take you to a dark, lonely place.
I try to use the following gentle/reassuring words instead:
•They may try to hurt you,
•They will try to take you away from mummy
•Mummy / daddy will be very sad if someone tries to hurt or take you away,
•You are a very brave girl,
•You can shout and scream if someone tries to hurt you,
•Mummy/daddy will always look after you and listen to you.


Helping an older child understand the importance of personal safety.
5 years - Children as young as 5 years may be taught to memorize their home address, phone numbers and mobile numbers of their parents. An easy way to help them memorize is by adding a tune and teaching the numbers like a song.
7 years- Children beyond the age of 7 years may be explained to in more detail. They may be told that there are people, who may want to take them away or kidnap for some money or want to hurt them by touching their private parts, which is inappropriate and it needs to be reported to an adult immediately. Words of reassurance and encouraging them to share details about their activities on a daily basis will improve communication, increase self-confidence and create awareness.
8 years and over-In addition to knowing their home address and numbers, children above the age of 8 years may also be taught to memorize emergency numbers, such as 100 for Police, 108 for a medical emergency and 102 for fire emergency. They may save these important numbers along with the mobile numbers of their parents, neighbours or close relatives on speed dial. If ever they feel threatened or in danger, they may call the emergency numbers without hesitation.

Teenager-Teen years come with a whole new perspective to life and initial steps to independence. Most teenagers would like their own private space away from the interference of adults. But as parents, we need to ensure that they are aware on how to keep themselves safe. You may help your teenager understand the importance of sharing details of their whereabouts by keeping you updated with the following:

•Take permission from you before going anywhere
•Let you know as to who is accompanying them.
•Mutually agree to a time when they need to be back home by.
•Keep you informed with regards to any change in plans.

Keeping our children safe is our top priority. We may help them understand the importance of following the safety rules and knowing how to act if they feel threatened,instead of worrying or feeling scared. This will help in protecting them.Practicing personal safety skills with your child, will to help increase their confidence and competence. Games and role play to enact situations mentioned above may help children to get a clearer idea of what to do if faced with any of the circumstances. Reminding and reinforcing will only make things clearer for them
Let’s help our children stay safe!

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The Miracles of Music, as a Therapy For Your Child

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes themind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul - Angela Monet

The connection between music and humans is known to begin in the womb. The benefit of music in a child’s physical, emotional and mental health is immense and this has been proven over the years by using music as therapy.I love to watchmy 10-month-old baby sway and move to the sound of rhythmic music. It makes me smile and join him in his ‘dance’. Babies seem to be able to distinguish music from speech and the most common example is when a lullaby can soothe a baby to sleep even when the baby is at his crankiest best.

Does music really have a therapeutic effect?

Music Therapy is a research based profession where in music is used to achieve therapeutic and educational goals. This therapy is based on the understanding that human beings possess an inborn ability to respond to music, which remains unaffected by impairments, injuries or illness. Therapy for children is designed to provide with individual or group sessions depending on the specific needs of the children.

Effects of Music

    Music is known to stimulate the whole brain.
    Music therapy helps in finding an individual’s personal harmony.
    Music therapy is an important tool is treating psychological or psychosomatic disorders.
    Music stimulates the nerves through vibration.
    Music therapy helps improve a child’s concentration level and attention span.
    Music brings about a sense of mental well-being.

Who Benefits?

Adults and children with special needs can greatly benefit from sessions of music therapy. This therapy is known to helpchildren in the following stages of life:

    In neonatal care- Music, with its components of sound and rhythm, can arouse a withdrawn baby, and can effectively calm anxious and crying babies. Music can also act as a sleep inducer, which can help soothe a baby to sleep.
    With Autism- Autism is a neuro-development disorder, symptoms of which include impaired communication, limited interest and repetitive behaviour. Music therapy for children with autism includes incorporating music which engages the children in dancing, singing, helping them with stronger speech skills and better eye contact.
    With learning difficulties- Children with learning disabilities are said to understand and interpret information differently than normal children. They usually cannot stay focussed and maintain concentration. With the help of music therapy, children learn to concentrate and focus and are also able to retain information. Slow and comforting music helps them calm down thereby channelling their frustration, if any, towards a more amicable direction.
    With Down syndrome- Children with Down syndrome often suffer from speech and language problems, short attention span and can get easily distracted. The rhythms and repetitiveness of music helps a child remember something more easily as compared to just being told about it.
    Who are hearing impaired- The main goal of music therapy for children who are hearing impaired is to develop and expand the residual hearing to the maximum and help with speech development by using the vibration effects of music.
    With emotional behaviour concerns- A child or adolescent with an emotional disorder may develop behavioural problems such as anger, aggression, suicide attempts, seclusion from family members, social isolation, academic failure, and alcohol or drug abuse. In such instances, music therapy helps improve self esteem, facilitates communication and self expression, and helps reduce tension and anxiety through relaxation techniques.
    With physical disabilities- Children with physical disabilities are helped in maintaining or restoring physical functioning by motivating movements prescribed in physical rehabilitation.

The techniques are used to develop and maintain joint and muscle function, increase control and muscle strength, improve oral skills, help in relaxation as well as provide an outlet for self expression, all by way of using the reinforcing nature of music.

How does a typical therapy session proceed?

    Once a child is enrolled, the therapist makes an assessment of the child’s skills and areas which need attention.
    In the first session, the therapist makes an evaluation of the child through his/her musical responses.
    Based on the assessments, the therapist determines objectives and goals for the therapy. This involves designing musical activities to address the goals.
    The child’s progress is monitored. The goals and objectives may be changed or adjusted from time to time if need be.

Where do music therapists work?

    Pre-schools, nurseries, centres for children with special needs
    Schools for children with learning difficulties and or visual and hearing disabilities
    Hospitals and care centres
    Centres for children with learning difficulties

Music Therapy in India

Music has been used as a therapeutic agent from the ancient times. The classical compositions or Ragas have been acclaimed to have healing effects by Vedic Science. The Raga is the basis of melody and has been found to cure many diseases. The original Raga or Shastrik Music is based on the harmonious consonance between the seven Swaras (musical notes) and the Chakras (energy centres in the body). Shastrik Music vibrates and soothes one mentally and also energises the organs in the body. The rhythmic sounds of temple bells and conch shells produced in temples or places of devotional practices, is also known to have therapeutic effects.

Enjoy some therapeutic music with your child at home!

Children are not all that carefree as we perceive them to be. They have their sets of worries- academic pressure, peer pressure, expectations from parents and the list can go on. You can help your child unwind and relax by making them listen to some soothing music at the comfort of your home. You may select a soft music or song, make your child sit comfortably and remove all distractions. Play music at a gentle volume or let him/her listen through the use of ear phones. You may also choose to sing a song with your child. Even getting down on the floor with your toddler with some pots and pans to create rhythmic music is a great way to relieve stress. Babies love lullabies. There is nothing more comforting for a baby than hearing his/her mother sing or hum a tune. Music taps into the residual hearing as we humans hear music through the vibrations. This stimulates a child’s kin aesthetic sense (awareness of the present), which will help them achieve academic, social, emotional, communication goals, as well as enhance risk taking, creativity and gross motor skills. We do not need to go to a therapist to benefit from the wonders music can do to physical and mental health of a child.

Where words fail, music speaks- Hans Christian Andersen.

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