Children Ministry Letter to Parents

Dear Parents in the New Hope International Church Family,

We are all aware that we live in a less than perfect world these days. We strive to keep our children safe. I have been asked by the elders at New Hope to recommend some tools to parents to educate their children on the subject of sexual abuse, what it is, how to prevent it and how to report it. Hence this letter to each family with some recommended reading for you and your youngsters at home.

I have researched and found a few resources that are starting points, opening conversation in unthreatening ways between parents and children. While the subject of sexual abuse is not a pleasant one to think about, we believe that prevention and awareness are necessary things. Please take some time to either order these resources for your own family (all are available on Amazon) or check them out at your local library. We plan to include them in our future New Hope Kids’ Library for reference as well.

The following are the recommended resources I have researched and found to be helpful. I will make a note of the recommended age levels for each resource.

1. Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spellman. This is a short book with easy to understand language and pictures that would be good for toddlers thru Kindergarten level. It emphasizes that our bodies belong to us.

2. I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping private parts private by Zack and Kimberly King. This book is one that would be appropriate for children from 4 years (depending upon maturity level) to older elementary. I found it extremely valuable, because it presents different possible scenarios a child might face and helped them explore possible ways to deal with each, thereby giving them tools to work with. I really like this one!

3. Stranger Safety, the Safe Side by Julie Clark and John Walsh. This is a DVD that gives kids a super-fun way to learn important safety information, and to provide parents with simple and engaging ways to discuss this subject with their children. This 42 minute movie is one more tool in a kid’s education in helping them to avoid dangerous situations with people they don’t know and those they kind of know. The lessons would be best internalized by the kids thru repeated viewings.

I believe the subject of sexual abuse and stranger safety is best taught at home. It is my hope that every parent will choose to be proactive in teaching their children ways they can protect themselves. Hopefully the above recommendations will be helpful in that endeavor!

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak to me at church, call 206-275-1042. I am also including a list of resources with excellent information on sexual abuse prevention and support.

 

Resources:

1. www.stopitnow.org

2. www.Darkness2light.com

3. www.jfcadvocacy.org

 

 

 

Love in Jesus,

 

Brenda Supasatit

Children’s Pastor

New Hope International Church