Published on: 14 September 2022



Earlier this week our Early Learning Community boys were treated to an incursion from Constable Care, teaching their “Fun Scary” program aimed at educating children about the differences between safe and unsafe scary feelings.

Taking the form of a play incorporating puppets, the show helps children identify feelings to increase emotional literacy and support them in identifying their own safe network of adults to talk to.

During the show, the main character Teagan learns about her warning signs and that there is always a safe person to talk to about the unsafe scary stuff. The play addresses the following concepts:

  • Protective behaviours
  • Physiological signs of distress
  • Emotional literacy
  • Keeping safe and unsafe secrets
  • Developing a ‘helping hand’ network of trusted adults
  • Perseverance in advising adults and being heard

Early Years Learning Co-ordinator Chantal Widdicome said the puppet show reinforced the messages of Christ Church’s Protective Behaviours program by promoting emotional literacy skills.

“Boys were encouraged to think about their ‘Helping Hand’ and reminded that everyone has the right to feel safe at all times,” she said.

“Teachers have all discussed with their classes why each boy needs to identify their own network of five adults who are able to help them if they have a problem and that nothing is ever so bad that it can’t be talked about with someone you trust.”