My Safety Song
Teaching Safety with Music by F&EG Staff -6/2007-
In today’s culture, the word stranger can be misleading to children. The fact is, anyone can potentially be harmful and parents and children need to be on guard and aware of danger signals all the time.
Unfortunately there are predators who will use their position of trust or power to take advantage of young children. Most often the predator is someone the child already knows. They usually work by gaining the child’s confidence, posing as a friendly neighbor, mom’s new boyfriend, the little league coach, the boy scout leader or even a divorced parent.
There’s a new way to teach children about these dangers. Because music is one of the easiest ways for young children to learn just about anything, it can also be used to inspire children to learn safety.
Founder of Finding Back and teaching safety since 1994, Greg Pospiel wrote ‘My Safety Song’ in easy to learn rhyming verses, to teach young children all about staying safe. “My Safety Song is not just some furry character singing silly tunes. It was written with safety information that I’ve learned from police investigators over the past fourteen years,”says Pospiel. “It is filled with vital information for both parents and children.
” Kids love it and memorize their safety tips while having fun! They enjoy singing and listening to songs while they are learning important lessons that may save their lives should a dangerous situation arise,” exclaims Greg.
My Safety Song was designed to give children simple clues as to when to say no, when to run, and when to scream for help, while not frightening them. “I took the most common situations that occur in most instances and wrote a verse explaining that it is ok to run, to scream etc.” says Pospiel.
Appropriate for ages 3-12, the follow-up questions can be used as a follow up to My Safety Song or any safety discussion.
Since every child’s home environment varies, they should be encouraged to discuss this information with their parents or guardians.
- There is a special phone number for emergencies. 911 goes directly to the police station. You can also talk to a trusted adult. Can you name some trusted adults that you know?
- Can you name some things that might be considered emergencies?
- If you got off the school bus and someone stopped in a passing car and asked you for help with directions: should you walk over to the car to help or run as fast as you can to the nearest neighbor.
- If a neighbor invites you over to play video games, to see their new puppies or kittens, or to go the movies, should you go with them, or should you ask mom and dad for permission first?
- When working on the internet there is certain information we don’t want to give out to anyone including our names and addresses. Can you name some other information we should not give to anyone?
- When playing outside it’s always good to a have a friend or two with us so we can keep an eye on each other. We call this the buddy system. Can you name some of your buddies?
- It’s all right to say no to an adult if we feel uncomfortable about a situation. If someone asks us to kiss or hug them just because they are a relative or neighbor it’s ok to say no. What are some other things someone might ask that we would say no to?
- If someone touches you somewhere they shouldn’t, then tell an older person you can trust.
- Find a meeting place at the shopping mall, movie theatre or the zoo just in case you get lost. You should never leave the store alone or with anyone except your parents. Who can you go to for help? Next time you are in the store with your parents, point out safe meeting places and safe people to go to if you get lost.
- Never use public restrooms alone. Always go with a friend or a parent or trusted adult.
This could be the most important music CD you may ever buy for your children. For more information call 508-886-2884 or visit http://mysafetysong.homestead.com
