Brisbane mother Jennifer Boyce praises G8 Education\u2019s national rollout of evidence-based protective behaviours program after seeing positive changes in her three year old son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G8 Education\u2019s Australia-wide rollout of Act for Kids\u2019 Learn to Be Safe with Emmy and Friends program is being taught to almost 30,000 children, with parents reporting more confidence, communication and understanding of body safety in their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brisbane mother, Jennifer, said her three year old son has shown increased confidence since the program was introduced at The Learning Sanctuary, which is one of G8 Education\u2019s 350 early learning centres now delivering the evidence based curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer recently noticed that her son was speaking more about body safety and body autonomy when he was at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy son has been talking more openly at home about body safety, body autonomy and private parts,\u201d Jennifer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe told us that he has \u2018safe adults\u2019, who are grown-ups that he can talk to about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer said the program has helped her son be able to express his feelings more clearly and understand his own boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the last six months, he has really increased in confidence when it comes to body autonomy. He is now confident telling us what he feels comfortable with or how he wants to greet someone,\u201d Jennifer explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe respect that, and we work out another way he can say hello or goodbye if he doesn\u2019t want a kiss or a hug.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer has always encouraged open conversations at home, but says the centre\u2019s structured approach has deepened her son\u2019s understanding of safety, consent and empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI noticed the changes in my son, and the centre let us know that they were teaching the Learn to Be Safe with Emmy and Friends body safety program which I thought was a fantastic idea. It is so important to start teaching those concepts to children really early,\u201d Jennifer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe educators have made it just a normal part of everyone\u2019s day at the centre. It\u2019s not a big deal, it\u2019s just an important part of the children\u2019s everyday learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer believes the program should be essential for all early childhood education and care centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know that my son has enjoyed learning about body safety. I definitely feel it is so important that children are across this, and can articulate how they\u2019re feeling and have adults they feel safe to talk to about anything,\u201d Jennifer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou never know when your child might need to share some really important information with you. If children are given the tools to express themselves, that really is invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jennifer also praised the diversity represented in the Learn to Be Safe with Emmy and Friends program\u2019s resources, noting that children can see themselves reflected in the characters and stories. \u201cWhen I was looking through the resources, I liked that there\u2019s diversity in the characters. This is what people look like, and this is reflective of our community,\u201d Jennifer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n