Books To Teach Children About Body Safety
- Kayelene Kerr Child Safety Expert
- Jan 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
Teaching children Protective Behaviours and Body Safety in age and developmentally appropriate ways doesn't take away a child's innocence, it helps to protect it.
When children are taught protective behaviours and body safety in age and developmentally appropriate ways, they are better equipped to recognise when something does not feel right and to seek help from a trusted adult. Early, consistent and intentional education and conversation matters, as do the tools we use to deliver this education.
I believe prevention education should start early, be age-appropriate and feel natural. One of the most effective ways to do that is through carefully chosen children’s books. Stories create a safe distance from real-life situations, allowing children to explore ideas, ask questions and build understanding without feeling scared, confronted or confused.
For parents, caregivers, educators and other professionals, books remove the pressure of having to find the perfect words, because the story becomes the starting point that invites curiosity and opens the door for meaningful and ongoing conversations.
Reading together allows children to:
Explore complex topics in a non-threatening way
Ask questions at their own pace
Relate concepts to familiar situations
Revisit ideas again and again
Develop knowledge and confidence through repetition, consistency and trusted relationships
The impact of a single book might seem small in the moment, but the ripple effect over time is significant.
Through our curated book resources, training and education, we aim to make child safety conversations feel accessible, practical and empowering, rather than overwhelming or out of reach. Because when adults know what to say and how to say it, children are better supported and better protected.
If you know these conversations matter but still feel unsure where to begin, you are not alone. That is exactly why I have created Australia's one-stop-shop for child safety books.
The collection of child safety books has been carefully curated. Each resource is selected not only for its age-appropriateness, but for its ability to open up conversations that build protective behaviours over time.
Teaching children the correct terms for the private parts of their body can be one of the first conversations we start to educate our children about their amazing body and body safety.
Here's four books that can assist;
Everyone's Got A Bottom
Everyone's Got A Bottom is a perfect tool for parents and carers to gently start conversations with children about personal safety. The book uses correct anatomical terms and emphasises that children can always talk about their bodies or any concerns they may have with their parents or another trusted adult. It helps parents and carers teach children to keep safe in a style that is fun, positive and protective.
Watch a booking reading here.
Only For Me
Only for Me was written in consultation with child protection experts, adult survivors of child abuse and countless parents. It is designed to enable parents, carers and educators to empower young children with the critical information that they need to know in a rhyming, child-friendly manner.
Watch a booking reading here.
My Underpants Rule
My Underpants Rule! is a fun, easy way to teach children how to protect their private parts. Using a superhero theme, colourful illustrations and child-friendly humour, it helps parents, carers and educators gently and effectively teach children their Underpants Rule!
Watch a booking reading here.
Private Parts Are Private
Private Parts Are Private teaches young children about their private parts and what to do if touched inappropriately.
eSafeKids Keeping Kids Safe Members' Community
Content to read, watch, listen to and download
Join the free eSafeKids online Members' Community. It has been created to support and inspire you in your home, school, organisation and/or community setting.
eSafeKids Self-Paced Course
Protective Behaviours & Body Safety
Learn more about this course here.
Further information
You may like to read the following eSafeKids Blog:
To learn more about eSafeKids workshops and training visit our services page.
To view our wide range of child friendly resources visit our online shop.
Join the free eSafeKids online Members' Community. It has been created to support you in your home, school, organisation and/or community setting.
About The Author
Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 29 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.
About eSafeKids
eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children and young people about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.
eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty, pornography and more!
eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).
