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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Talking with Strangers: The right Approach


How often did we hear the warning from our parents “don’t talk to strangers.” This was even back in the days when the environment was still neighbourly. These days, with stories of kidnappings making the rounds in almost all the climes, those warnings seem to be apt. However, it might not be in the child’s overall interest to make such a blanket statement without explaining. This is because it could make the child become so anti-social in life. Secondly, the child is bound to meet with “strangers” once he starts interacting outside the family circle. These are some tips on how to approach the “no talking to stranger” rule.


  • You can let them know they can talk to strangers when you are with them; they should limit such interactions to exchanging of courtesies
  • Where they are alone, they should avoid talking with strangers, especially where such stranger offers them candy or toys or tries to entice them into going away from the immediate environment with them
  • Where they need help outside the neighbourhood, it is better to approach a uniformed person, especially the police for assistance
  • They should be cautious when adults ask them for help
  • Inculcate in them the sense of being assertive in their rights; when a stranger or even a known face acts inappropriately towards them, they should resist and yell NO!
  • Encourage them to tell you all about their encounter either at school or at parks where they went to play; they should be wary of people asking them to keep secrets
  • If your kid walks back home from school, let him do that in the company of other kids



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