School-Wise —

Teaching Relationship Safety

It never was only about the ABC’s.

School is supposed to be the best place for children to learn social skill.  But now we know that some are learning much more than just how to get along.  They have to fend off relationship abuse.  
 
Young children, even adolescents, are naïve, and they believe what authorities say, even those who don’t have their best interests in mind.  Teacher-student relationships make headlines, are even romanticized on popular television shows.  What is common in the media seems normal.

But the kids need to recognize when attention isn’t right.   Their teachers and parents, too, need basic information.  Pedophilia isn’t about predators targeting teens.  Pornographers and others who try to sexually exploit teenagers aren’t technically pedophiles.  If they aren’t, then what are they? 

In our workshops we talk about these things in language that is age and culturally appropriate.  Bullying, social networking, and game addictions are discussed, too.  Socially intelligent kids, no surprise, are less vulnerable.

School Wise walks administrators through the steps after a critical event.  Our goal is to prevent the damage, to make schools behaviorally green, safe places to learn.