Social workers used the story of Little Red Riding Hood last Friday to warn Rylands preschoolers about childhood dangers and how they can get help.
Child Protection Week started on Wednesday May 29 and runs until today, Wednesday June 5. This year’s theme is Protecting South African Children, 30 years on.
Staff from the Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre, a non-profit organisation, visited the Silvertown Educare where they used the fairy tale about the young girl and the sly wolf to make the children aware of their rights and how to stay safe.
“Through the role-play, we wanted to ensure that children understand the importance of telling an adult or someone they trust, if they are being hurt and to make them aware that there is help,” said Safeline’s Taslynn de Wee.
Silvertown Educare principal Florence Reynolds said: “At their age, they soak up everything they learn. It is also common that a child believes everything their teachers tell them, so it is important that they are educated about this serious matter here. Sometimes the children challenge their parents because that is not what the teacher said. As adults, we must also take note when a child speaks out. Always believe a child when they tell you that they have been abused. Don’t brush it off,” Ms Reynolds said.
