I teach Pre-K. After viewing this show, I couldn't help but wonder if it is possible to view the Stranger Danger episode with our school aged children. It illustrates the idea that "strangers" need not be "strange". They might be people you see everyday. Please let me know if we can have access to the video to show to our classes. Thank you kindly,

Lucille Aranzullo

After viewing your program on Stranger Danger, I wondered if a video was available to show to my class of Pre-K students. Your program illustrates how a "stranger" need not be "strange".

Thanks you!

Natalie...Wonderful program!!! Your son, by the way, said the most profound thing that was said during the event. He was concerned AFTER, and said something like, "I think that was a stranger." He didn't know this person in the ice cream truck, but he only THOUGHT he was a stranger. That was the key... Children have no clue WHO or WHAT a stranger is, yet that mysterious word is thrown at them every day. Personally, I would like to see the word "stranger" removed from every single lesson and workshop dealing with pedophiles and abductions. At a family picnic, Uncle Harry is just Uncle Harry. But, at the school yard during recess, it could be Uncle Harry, the pedophile.

Rather than teaching children who to stay away from (and Uncle Harry gives you an idea of the nuances), children should be taught who they CAN talk to, and where.. That becomes a much shorter list.

"Unless I am with you, you may not talk to anyone outside our house." There may be embarrassing situations, but your child is not responsible for that.

Keep promoting this...it is important!!!

My book, "Stranger Danger, Children Beware," even has a scenario stating, "Though probably a stranger, he "may be your neighbor or even your kin." It teaches children as young as two years old WHAT to do when parents are not around! For more information, please go to www.vickievhawkins.com!

Natalie....Great program. I am a grandmother of 2. This program was excellant. I read the perfect book to my grandson & I have even given them as gifts to my nieces. It's called "LET'S B SAFE" by Brenda Zofrea. As a military mother as well, I would love to see this book get into the hands of every parent, grandparant & teacher out there. It covers this topic in such a fun & easy way for the children learn from. Our children are our FUTURE. Education by parents/grandparents/teachers is the best.

This topic needs to be heard over & over.

Thank you

Natalie,

Thanks for doing this show. I had a few thoughts.

Most of the children were taught by their parents about stranger danger. Still they gave into temptation during the staged scenarios. Even the police officer’s daughter accepted the ice cream.
Accepting a gift from a stranger could provide a child predator with the opportunity to grab the child.

What else can be done?

As special educator and professor, I’d like to offer these crucial components:

1. Visual Teaching: Explain the cautions by using both visual and auditory instructions. Not all children will remember if simply given verbal directions. Explain the various scenarios in words and by writing a list. For younger nonreaders, the visual reminders can be in pictures.
2. Proactive Preparation: Make sure you tell the child what to do. Often adults tell children what not to do, but don’t prepare the child for what can be done to get out of a situation.
3. Role play: Things we do (such as driving a car, using a computer, cooking, etc.) are learned through practice. Practicing every possible situation prepares the child to think when confronted with a real-life
   dangerous situation. The more practice, the more the responses become automatic.

It would be great if you could do a follow-up show for parents that would demonstrate how to improve their
teaching of stranger danger.

Vicki Chandler

(also a mother of two adult sons who shares the universal concern of parents)

I missed the show as I thought it was on at 8 pm and failed to record it! Are you not making it available on-line? Or, will you replay it any time soon? I'd really like my children to see the Stranger Danger episode. Thank you.

I must say that I do not agree with tricking a child to teach them a lesson. What were the parents thinking when they agreed to put their children in such a deceitful situation for the benefit of TV ratings? TV journailsm has plunged to new depths.

I thought this was a wonderful show and contrary to another poster that this would give pedophiles ideas...I doubt that very much - they have been using the puppy dog and ice cream routine for years. What I found most disturbing was the peer factor - you might assume your child is safer when with other kids but this seemed to prove that was incorrect and that if just one of the group broke down the rest would also. Of course one would presume that dangerous strangers are looking for the weak lamb that is off by themselves as they would seem an easier victim than choosing a group. Great show - should be shown in every classroom.

My name is Alyssa and I am 10 yrs. old. My step mom had me watch an episode of " My kid would never do that" and I thought it was very interesting and learning experience. I have a sister who just turned 5 yrs. old and we debated on whether she would follow or not. I am mostly concerned because my sister is very outgoing and friendly. Can you put my sister to the test and see if she will take the ice cream? Please have more episodes for young kids. thank you!

I loved the show on stranger danger. But I have a concern because everyone was talking about not getting into the truck, but every one of the children ATE the ice cream. Kids must know also about strangers putting things into the ice cream that could put children at risk also. In today's society drugs could also be administered into the product. Please parents make sure your children also know about eating things that strangers offer to them! Not just to run but to absolutely NEVER eat what they offer to you.

It was sad to see that the parents were disappointed on their children's behavior. But that is reality. Peer pressure and the insistance of strangers to come along finally get to the kids. One question I have is "What if the stranger predator was of a different color (i.e. Hispanic, Black, Asian)? I am willing to bet that most of the kids would find it easier to resist the stranger and that a white person is viewed as not a predator.

Thank you Natalie! We had our 5 year old watch this show with us and it really made an impact! Over the last few days we have gone over stranger danger strategies! He specifically talks about what Josh did right and wrong. He loves vehicles so we have gone over every type of car/truck that he loves and he yells out that he would Yell "NO" and run away if asked to enter a car or truck! He is starting Kindergarten in the fall so I am very grateful to have started this conversation! I will be tuning in for future shows on this topic!