The recent rise in terrorism around the world has caused families, educators, and indeed everyone to consider again how to help young children grow up tolerant, accepting, and, above all, non-violent. Policies that support a tolerant, inclusive curriculum are essential if children are to survive in the years ahead. Curriculum policies must be…

Stresses the need for a concerted effort to educate children about the problem of sexual abuse. Suggests that teaching about this subject is most effective when planned as a personal-safety component of the curriculum. Discusses myths surrounding child sexual abuse. Guidelines for teaching, curriculum ideas, and sexual abuse indicators are…

Describes ways young children disclose to their teachers that they have been sexually abused. Provides guidance for teachers on appropriate ways to respond in order to decrease children's trauma, including: remaining calm and reassuring, speaking on the child's level, not using words the child has not already used, and obtaining only the…

Offers guidelines for use in questioning children about incidents of sexual abuse. Guidelines concern children's cognitive capabilities, social and emotional responses, and language abilities. Includes the story of a 4.5-year-old girl who was questioned in court. (BB)

Discusses the effects of child abuse and neglect on young children. Focuses on possible neurological effects; psychological effects, such as disregulation of affect and avoidance of intimacy; and cognitive consequences throughout childhood and adolescence. Describes interventions that can promote resiliency in children, such as providing alternate…

Because young children have difficulty comprehending abstract ideas and generalizing information presented in sexual abuse prevention programs, and because of their dependence on adults, the effectiveness of sexual abuse prevention programs for young children is questionable. (BB)