Growing Up Knowing Launches “My Body, My Boundaries”
Growing Up Knowing, a local non-profit that is working to reduce teen pregnancy and bullying and abuse. Their focus is fostering honest conversations between children and parents. They are introducing to Clinton the elementary program on bullying and abuse, “My Body, My Boundaries.” The program is set for March 27 at 6 p.m. at Eastside Elementary.
About the Program:
Program for families of elementary-age children teaches anti-bullying and abuse prevention skills
“Beware of strangers,” we teach our children. Yet danger often lurks close to home with people who are not strangers at all.
Every day we hear about bullying or children suffering physical or emotional abuse by a trusted relative, teacher or coach. It is crucial that children learn how to effectively say “NO” to this abuse.
“My Body, My Boundaries,” offers training for children and their families to learn together how to protect themselves and how to have a strong voice against such treatment. This new program from Growing Up Knowing facilitates parent-child communications in community and faith organizations throughout Mississippi. This program is designed for children from kindergarten through fifth grade and their parents or caregivers.
“A large part of what makes our program so successful is our participants,” said Dana Larkin, executive director of Growing Up Knowing. “We work with children and their parents or caregivers together because we believe real change happens when we work across multiple generations to strengthen family communication and interaction.”
“My Body, My Boundaries,” teaches children about their bodies and gives them the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe and grow into healthy individuals. This one-hour program uses a research-based curriculum and inspires ongoing healthy conversations at home. The session focuses on how to:
- correctly name body parts
- recognize physical boundaries and safe touching
- say “NO” to abuse and bullying
- report abuse to trusted adults
- successfully communicate between parents and children
- respect and love your own body.
“There is no cost to partner organizations to host our programs, and we provide trained facilitators,” Larkin said. “We only ask that partners recruit participants and provide meeting space.”
Growing Up Knowing also offers classes for middle school age children and their parents or caregivers. These sessions focus on family communications about responsible sexual behavior, decision making and resisting peer pressure.
To schedule either program at your organization or if you have questions, please visit Growing Up Knowing’s website (www.growingupknowing.org) or contact Executive Director Dana Larkin at 601-589-0275 or dana@growingupknowing.org.
Founded as the Mississippi Campaign for Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Growing Up Knowing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Jackson, Mississippi. Growing Up Knowing was selected as the beneficiary of WellsFest 2018. Wells United Methodist Church sponsors the family-friendly festival and related events each year in September. Net proceeds from all events are donated to the beneficiary charity. The 2018 festival is scheduled for September 29 at Jamie Boyle Park in Jackson.
