Stranger danger talk

[Dream37]

I have a 3yo who is very friendly and trusting, after much reinforcement he understands not to talk to strangers. Is this enough for this age?

I don't want to scare him.

Thank you!

We don’t have rules about not talking to strangers as I don’t think that’s particularly helpful, we do however have a rule that they must never go anywhere with anyone without checking with the adult looking after them. We’ve talked about how that is always the rule no matter what someone may say to them and no safe adult would stop them going to check with the person looking after them. We’ve also discussed how no safe adult ever asks children for help, they would ask another adult. And about not accepting anything from anyone without checking with the person looking after them.

Thank you!

Agreed - the whole "stranger" thing is confusing as my children struggle with "when is a person not a stranger?" If the person introduced themselves and gave them their name, it would mean "friend" to many children. If it's someone they've seen previously, they may not see them as a "stranger" even if they don't really know that person.

The greatest danger to children are persons in their inner circle - family and friends of the family.
So I never had a stranger danger (it sounds so catchy) talk with mine.
More like Madratlady.

Never mentioned it specifically either because it’s rather a contrived concept. A 3 year old will not understand it.

When DC is older reinforce who is collecting them from an activity, not to agree to an adult doing something to them or with them that they don’t like and always stay where friends and adults know where you are.

Chatting to strangers (or ordinary lovely people) isn’t unusual with a 3 year old. Be pleased DC is outgoing and confident.