‘Hands-on’ street-proofing course for children
We teach children personal safety skills and empowerment strategies. They are encouraged to listen to their ‘inner voice’ and rely on their ‘Street Smart’ instincts in order to make safe decisions and get out of potentially dangerous situations.
In order to get our message across, we use ‘age related’ fun activities, group discussion, problem solving scenarios and ‘hands-on’ luring and abduction simulations.
We cover an array of ‘prevention’ topics during each class and children get to practice in a ‘hands-on’ fashion what to do in a worst case scenario setting.
‘Street Smart Kids’ Course – student’s get to
- Listen to their ‘inner voice’ when confronted with a ‘Tricky situation.’
- Ask themselves the three ‘Street Smart’ questions when having to make tough decisions on the ‘Tricky’ interaction.
- Use clear, verbal boundary setting when targeted.
- Not be afraid to say ‘No!’ and walk away in an uncomfortable situation.
- Not be afraid to tell a ‘Safe person’ they ‘Need Help’ if abused or approached.
- Realistically deal with the fear, confusion, panic and doubt that occurs during an uncomfortable ‘Good touch, Bad touch’ or luring situation.
General information
- Participants: School-age children (parent participation is an option)
- Participant’s age: 6 to 10 years of age (grades 1 to 3)
A program is also available for children 11 to 13 years old - Duration of course: 9 hours (1 h X 9 weeks; 1.25 h X 7 weeks; 1.5 hours X 6 weeks)
- Min/Max number of participants: 14 – 24 children (parents can attend)
- Availability: Lunch time, after school, Pedagogical day or week-end program
- Room size required: Room able to accommodate the participants standing
- Equipment needed: Chairs for participants to sit on. We bring the rest.
Educational ‘Street Smart Kids’ course modules (9 hour course)
Module 1: Introduction – Discussion period
- Who, what, where and why
- The truth about children being lured, abused and abducted
- Each class is divided into ‘age appropriate’ discussion themes:
Playing outside and going to a friends house- Good and bad touches, ‘Tricky’ people
- While walking, being followed, approached
- Knowing my neighborhood
- Strangers and Safe strangers
- Home alone and someone knocks on the door
- Seeking help, emergency telephone numbers
- Knowing my neighborhood
- Various lures used by ‘Tricky’ people to seduce and kidnap children
- Secret code words – good or bad? Etc.
Module 2: Personal defense
Verbal, mental, physical and environmental tools available
Saying ‘No!’ and walking away- Giving out ‘personal information’ when talking to someone
- That ‘Oh-Oh’ feeling and what to do about it
- Setting boundaries to ‘unwanted touching’
- Confrontational principles
- Realistic resistance strategies: Verbal, passive, physical
- What if nothing works as we are being dragged away? Etc.
Module 3: ‘Hands-on’ attack and luring simulations against a fully padded assailant
Dealing with:
- A stranger approaching us or striking up a conversation
- Someone we know who is acting ‘Funny’ towards us
- Luring situations: emergency; authoritative; family friend; etc.
- Someone trying to kidnap or abduct us
- Someone trying to touch us in a sly, tricky way through ‘touchy’ games, etc.
Module 4: Feedback on the luring and scenario-based simulations
Were the confrontational principles used and followed?- Did the child ask themselves the ‘personal safety questions’ when approached?
- Did they say ‘No!’ and walk away or did the interaction drag on?
- Was the ‘Tricky person’ nice at first? Did the child feel threatened?
- When they felt in danger, how did they react?
- Did they scream and yell or did they react quietly?
- What worked or did not work for them?
- What would they do differently next time?
- Did they drop to the floor once the adult try to drag them along to the car or house?
- What advice would they have for others if faced with the same approach? Etc.
Module 5: Children are given an abduction problem to solve for next class
They must:
Discuss this abduction problem with their parents and siblings.- Figure out together, realistic solutions to the dilemma presented to them.
- Attract attention, seek help and leave a trail behind for the police to follow.
- Do ‘whatever it takes’ to seek help and get away from the abductor.
Frequently asked questions about our workshops
Who organizes these ‘Street Smart Kids’ course?
- YOU ORGANIZE the Street Smart Kids course.
- WE TRAVEL TO YOU, THE CLIENT, in order to share our expertise.
- Sessions are given at your work place, home, school or community centre.
- Private and small group sessions can be set up in our studio if the need arises.
How can I join an organized group for a course?
- YOU CAN JOIN an organized group who is offering the Street Smart Kids course.
- If a community centre, school or corporation is organizing a course and they open it to the public, then joining them is no problem. We will gladly refer you to the appropriate location and contact person to join that group.
- Look at the ‘Events coming up’ on this site to see what is being organized or contact us at your earliest convenience:
- Telephone: (438) 392-4683
- Email: gmanoli@videotron.ca
Can I organize my own Street Smart Kids course?
- You can organize your own course (9 hours) in the format that is convenient for you.
- For a group course, you need to gather a Min/Max of 14 – 30 participants.
- Once the organizing party contacts us, we will discuss:
- Your goals and objectives for the event.
- The date(s) you want to hold the event.
- Number of participants you think might be attending.
- The participant’s age.
- Cost for the event, collection and invoicing.
- Room size required depending on the number of participants.
- Student preparation and dress code for the event.
- You can also contact your local Community centre, ‘home and school’ association or work organizer, requesting them to set up the activity. Here are some ideas others have done:
Courses for small groups or private 1-on-1 sessions
- Private, 1-on-1 training sessions for one person or a small group of participants (maximum 6) can be arranged for your convenience.
- We customize all our sessions to suit the client’s needs and goals.
- Mr. Manoli gives private & small group sessions to men, women, teens & children.
- He teaches both stand-up & ground self-defense with hands-on attack simulations.
- Mr. Manoli specializes in Karate, Judo/grappling as well as children’s bully-proofing and Street-Smart training.
- Mr. Manoli brings all the necessary equipment for each session.