Check First and Think First : How to Stay Safe with Strangers and People You Know

Instead of using fear to teach about violence prevention, Kidpower makes it FUN to learn to stay safe - both with strangers and with people they know. Without putting scary messages into children's minds, we can prepare them to avoid most assault, kidnapping, and abuse.After promoting positive messages widely for over a quarter of a century, we are glad that many safety programs now use Kidpower’s Check First and Stranger Safety language rather than giving children confusing and scary messages like: “Don’t talk to strangers!” and “Stranger Danger!” Believing that the world is full of dangerous people they don’t know and must never talk to does not make kids safer – it just makes them anxious. Kidpower’s Positive Practice Teaching Method prepares kids to to handle difficult and potentially dangerous situations in ways that help to increase confidence, reduce worry, and develop competence.In this Teaching Book, you will find cartoon-illustrated lessons from Kidpower's exceptional People Safety curriculum with explanations, stories, skill practice coaching guides, and Kidpower Safety Signals about:• Noticing When You are Together or On Your Own• Stranger Safety Rules• Thinking First To Assess What Is and Is Not Safe• Checking First Before You Go Even With People You KnowThe Kidpower Teaching Book series is designed to make it easy for caring adults to use our “People Safety” curriculum with children and youth in their classrooms, youth programs, and families. Stay tuned for our school and organizational packages that will include training for professionals to effectively teach and practice skills to keep kids safe.Kidpower strategies and skills help to protect young people from most bullying, abuse, kidnapping, and other violence - as well as to prepare them to develop strong relationships that enrich their lives.Learn more at www.Kidpower.org and check out our abundant FREE online library of resources.

Irene is the Founder and Executive Director of Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International, the internationally-recognized global nonprofit leader in 'People Safety' education, providing effective and empowering solutions to bullying, abuse, sexual assault, and other harmful behavior.

Since 1989, Irene has inspired an international movement of leaders, reaching nearly 6 million people of all ages, abilities, cultures, identities, and walks of life with the knowledge and skills they need to take charge of their safety.

Throughout Irene's three decades of leadership and collaboration, Kidpower has earned an outstanding reputation for developing, organizing, and presenting high quality child protection, positive communication, advocacy, self-defense, and personal safety programs and curriculums that have delivered successful outcomes. She is a proven expert at adapting Kidpower's services and programs to meet the needs of those facing increased risk of violence because of disabilities, poverty, and prejudice.

As Kidpower's expert lead author, Irene places time-tested life-saving skills and lessons directly into the hands of parents and professionals. Her work has gained world-wide acclaim from experts in education, law enforcement, and health for being upbeat, experiential, age-appropriate, emotionally safe, trauma-informed, and relevant in today's often-challenging times. Kidpower lessons have been presented in over 20 languages, across six continents. Kidpower trainings attract participants from around the globe.

Irene is an inspiring, passionate, and entertaining speaker, trainer, and storyteller who is a master at preparing people to transform problems into successful practices; to take charge of their safety and well-being; and to develop joyful relationships that enrich their lives.