Yes, I know those sequined shirts. Totally designed by somebody who thinks that everybody rubbing a little girl across the chest is good marketing. Sigh. It's not okay!
But they are here, so it's a Teachable Moment. Have a discussion, or make the shirt your Question Of The Day:
"What can you do when you want to touch the sparkly heart on ABC's shirt?"
Let them role play how to ask, giving reminders about "Her body belongs to HERSELF." I have also used a Morning Circle song for greeting each other each day, practicing consent. When I sang the special song, children stood up (as able and if desired) to walk around and ask for / offer hugs and fist bumps etc. I was hard-line on interjecting if someone persisted on hugging anyone who had said "No thank you." And that class carried the concept throughout the day. Why wait for a book? Teach it! Celebrate it! Make your OWN consent book 👍🏼.
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Mars April Caulton
Teacher & Teaching Artist
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-03-2019 01:21 PM
From: Kristin Nelson
Subject: Children's Books About Consent and Body Autonomy
Hello!
With Labor Day weekend this past weekend, my family spent some time with relatives. As we departed my daughter's grandpa asked for a hug, which she didn't feel like she wanted to give at that time. I told her later that it was okay for her not to hug someone that she didn't feel like, and I wanted to make sure she understood she is in control of her body.
I got to thinking about children in our programs and how we are teaching body autonomy...I have one teacher who has picked up on a body autonomy issue and is working to quell it in her preschool classroom; we have several girls who wear those shirts with sequins shirts that flip over to make another design when touched or rubbed. Does anyone know what shirts I mean? Children and adults love to touch and flip these shirts (my 6 year old daughter has several), but the children wearing them don't necessarily want to be touched like that. I had never thought of this regarding consent before my preschool teacher had brought this up. She now has actively taught the children in her room to ask first, and if the child says no, they may not touch her.
Anyway...to my question: does anyone have any good recommendations on children's books regarding consent/body autonomy? I would love to purchase a couple for myself and my program.
Thank you in advance!
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Kristin Nelson
Child Development Center Director
Jeremiah Program
Fargo ND
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