Kids in the Know resource kits are being introduced by the Rainbow District School Board to promote child safety.
Developed by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the interactive education safety program is another way that the Rainbow board is building global citizens, said a press release.
“Kids in the Know gives students strategies to keep them safe online and offline,” said Principal Trevor Dewit, who leads the board’s 21st Century Committee.
The interactive lessons range from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and include three components - a story, a group discussion, and a learning activity with questions related to the reading material.
In kindergarten, students learn to be aware of their emotions. Books such as, “Keep and Speak Secrets,” help children to make the distinction between secrets they should keep, and unsafe secrets they should tell to a safe adult.
“Children need to develop the ability to understand their emotions,” said Dewit. “Once they can articulate how they are feeling, they can learn to regulate emotions.”
As grades progress, the focus shifts to learning how to be smart, strong and safe through a variety of activities and case studies that can be incorporated into the regular classroom curriculum.
“Students are making the connection between emotion and action,” Dewit said. “They are learning to ask themselves reflective questions - how did I act? Was my behaviour okay? What could I have done differently?”
By Grade 7 and 8, students dig deeper, exploring topics like sextortion, boundaries and consent.
“Kids in the Know is a well-rounded tool that expands on many concepts explored in health and physical education,” said Dewit. “Students are learning how to be assertive and self-aware, develop socially and emotionally, solve problems, think critically and make low-risk choices.”
