Empowering young minds by building awareness about personal safety

Teaching children about ‘Good Touch and Bad Touch’ is crucial for their safety and personal boundaries. It empowers them to recognise unsafe situations, promotes awareness of body autonomy, and encourages open communication with trusted adults about uncomfortable experiences. Hence, Apeejay School, Kharghar, conducted an insightful workshop on ‘Good Touch and Bad Touch’  recently. 

In today’s dynamic world, children need to understand personal boundaries and recognise safe and unsafe interactions. This session, led by the primary teachers, aimed to equip young learners with the knowledge to identify appropriate physical contact and empower them with the confidence to respond to uncomfortable situations.

The workshop began with the screening of the educational video Komal, a story-based approach that introduced the concepts of good and bad touch in a way children could easily relate to. Following the video, an interactive discussion encouraged students to share their thoughts, ask questions, and participate actively. To reinforce the lesson, teachers used soft toys and a detailed PowerPoint presentation to explain different types of touches and the emotions they evoke.

The hands-on activity that followed was particularly engaging, as students labelled cut-outs representing different zones of touch:

Red for the danger zone: You cannot touch my private parts.

Yellow for the safe zone: You can pat my shoulder.

Green for the happy zone: I am happy with a high five.

Students also learned about ‘My Safe Circle’, a group of trusted adults they can approach for help. This practical exercise ensured that children could identify safe and unsafe touches, empowering them to act confidently.

“It was a great workshop. I learnt that hugs for mom and dad are good,  High-fives from friends make me happy. Doctors and nurses touch me to help me feel better. The touch that makes me feel safe is good, and the touch that does not feel safe are bad touches. I should speak to my teachers or parents if I feel unsafe about any touch,” Aditya Kumar, a student of Class IV – C, who attended the session said.

“The workshop was good. My son understood about the good and bad touch. He explained to us about it. Children must be made aware of safety touches. We are happy the school conducted this workshop,” the mother of Shrinitva Tadakhe, a student of Class IV-D, said.

“As teachers, we were deeply moved by the students’ openness and curiosity. Their engagement in the activities and discussions fostered a sense of community within the classroom. Witnessing their participation and seeing them grasp these important concepts was incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that we are contributing to their confidence and ability to advocate for themselves motivates us to continue these essential educational efforts. These experiences remind us of the critical role we play in shaping their awareness, safety, and well-being,” Ms Meghana Mohan, Class Teacher (III-D), shared.

  This initiative reinforced the school’s commitment to nurturing self-aware and confident students who are well-prepared to navigate the world safely.