How and Why the "Stranger Danger" Show is So Effective at Educating Young Children
This program is approximately 40 minutes long and has 6 important features:
1. Entertainment & Education. Children learn about the dangers of strangers in a non-threatening and entertaining way. The combination of entertainment and education is one of the best ways to teach young children. Why? When kids are having fun and enjoying themselves they are more receptive to the ideas
and messages being presented.
2. Magic. Kids love magic. They really enjoy watching it. Things appear and disappear. It is colorful and visual and young children can relate to it. Magic is used to illustrate key points, so when the children remember the magic trick, they remember the message as well.
3. Puppetry. The highlight of my program is when I introduce my puppet named "Magic Mouse". This is a very funny character that kids can identify with and, because they identify with him, they listen to him. Here is where they learn about what a stranger looks like. Many children think that a stranger is mean and ugly. Magic Mouse speaks the truth: a stranger can look like anybody.
4. Storytelling. As I mentioned, my goal in this program is to not only teach children about personal safety, but to help them understand who to go to if they need help. I teach the children what number to call to get help. They are NEVER too young to learn. By telling stories about how other children were tricked by strangers, they will realize that NOT everyone is their friend.
5. Audience Interaction. As you know, kids don't want to just sit and watch, they want to get involved. Great! When they're involved, they're learning. This high-energy program gets the kids involved and keeps their attention.
6. This show is geared for YOUNG children! It is not a "graphic program". This show does NOT scare them or intimidate them in any way. They are made to feel comfortable and relaxed. The "Stranger Danger" show gets the point across without any undue fear. It is performed in a fun, humorous, and uplifting way.