Lesson 098 of 300
Learn that pleasant surprises are temporary, while secrets involving fear, threats, touch, injury, photos, or danger must be shared with a trusted adult.
Help the child understand that some temporary surprises are shared later, while no one should require a child to hide information involving touch, private parts, pain, threats, fear, gifts, photos, going somewhere, or another safety concern.
"A happy surprise is something pleasant that will be shared soon, such as a birthday card. It has an ending and does not involve fear or danger. An unsafe secret is different. No one should ask you to hide touching, private parts, photos, pain, threats, gifts, meetings, or going somewhere from your trusted caregiver. If someone says you will be in trouble for telling, tell anyway. You will not be in trouble. Go to a trusted adult and keep telling until someone helps. Privacy can protect personal space. Unsafe secrecy hides danger. Unsafe secrets are told to trusted adults." DESIGN REQUIREMENTS: Use simple symbols and positive disclosure scenes. Avoid explicit abuse, threat reenactments, dark suspense, secrecy games, victim responsibility, or tests that could confuse the child.
Pause, point, name what you notice, and connect the idea to something familiar in your child's day. Repetition, a calm voice, shared attention and dependable care matter more than finishing quickly.