(For ages 3-6, Theme: Body Safety & Personal Boundaries)
In a bright apartment overlooking Mumbai’s busy streets lived Pia with her family. She loved playing with her teddy Golu and had recently learned an important lesson that she was excited to share with her friends.
A few days back during lunch time at school, Ms. Radhika brought out a new book with colourful pictures. “Today,” she said, “we are going to learn about our personal space bubble – an invisible circle around us that helps keep us safe and comfortable.”
The children sat up curiously as Ms. Radhika demonstrated with a hula hoop. “This is like your space bubble. Just like we don’t enter someone’s house without permission, we don’t enter someone’s personal space without asking.”
Pia raised her hand in an instant and spoke out innocently, “Like when I don’t want to hug Uncle Sharma at family parties?”
“Exactly!” Ms. Radhika smiled. “Your body belongs to you, and you can say ‘no’ to hugs or touches that make you uncomfortable – even from family members.”
The class practiced using clear voices to say “no” and “stop.” They learned about safe touches (like high-fives with friends) and unsafe touches that might make them feel worried or scared.
Ms. Radhika taught them the “Safe Circle” rule: only parents or doctors (with a parent present) could help with private body parts, and only for health and cleanliness. “If anyone else tries,” she explained, “tell a trusted grown-up right away.”
At home, Pia practiced with her parents. They made a list of her “Safe Adults” – people she could talk to if something bothered her. The list included her parents, her teacher, and her Dadi.
“Remember,” her Dadi said, “there are no secrets about touching – only happy surprises like birthday gifts! If anyone asks you to keep a touching secret, always tell your safe adults.”
Word Guide:
– Personal space: The area around a person that they feel comfortable with
– Boundaries: Rules about what is and isn’t okay
– Consent: Permission to do something
– Private: Things that are personal and not for others
– Trust: Believing someone is safe and reliable
– Comfortable: Feeling safe and good
– Unsafe: Not safe or good
– Permission: Allowing something to happen
– Respect: Treating others and yourself with care
Discussion Points for Parents:
1. Body ownership and autonomy
2. Identifying safe and unsafe situations
3. Building confidence to speak up
4. Importance of trusted adults
5. No secrets about touching
