Navigating Child on Child Touch: Approaching as a Concerned Parent

As a parent, you want to protect your children’s safety and well-being in all situations, including daycare and other group settings where child-to-child contact may occur. In such instances, it’s reasonable to be anxious and seek advice on how to approach child-on-child contact. In this blog post, we will look at 10 strategies for navigating this topic as a worried parent.

1: Understand age-appropriate behaviours: When it comes to child-to-child touch, it’s critical to have a firm grasp on age-appropriate behaviours. Young children, particularly toddlers and preschoolers, may participate in developmentally appropriate touch such as embracing, holding hands, or playing together. However, it is critical to be aware of any behaviours that are outside of typical developmental ranges or raise concerns, such as violent or improper touch.

2: Communicate with your child: It is critical to have open and nonjudgmental communication with your child. From a young age, teach children about proper touch, boundaries, and consent. Encourage them to tell you if they are ever uncomfortable with another child’s touch or have any worries regarding touch at daycare. Give them the authority to say “no” or “stop” if they are uncomfortable.

3: Initiate a dialogue with the daycare or child care provider to learn about their policies and procedures regarding kid-to-child contact. Enquire about their approach to supervision, communication, and dealing with any incidences or concerns about child touch.

4: Enquire about specifics: Ask specific questions to daycare personnel when addressing child-to-child touch to learn more about the nature of the touch and the environment in which it occurs. Enquire about the sorts of touch that are regarded safe or unsafe, the level of supervision provided, and any interventions for problematic behaviours..

5: Collaborate with the daycare: Address any concerns or issues linked to child-to-child touch in collaboration with the daycare or child care provider. Share your concerns without being confrontational, and solicit their feedback on how they are addressing the matter. Collaboratively develop viable ideas or tactics to protect all children’s safety and well-being.

6: Advocate for your child: If you have concerns about specific incidences or patterns of child-to-child contact that you believe are improper or unsafe, communicate your concerns to the daycare staff and administration. Be proactive in seeking appropriate steps, such as additional supervision, interventions, or policy and procedure changes.

7: Seek professional help if needed: If you are unsure about how to approach the situation or if you have serious concerns about the child-to-child touch, seek professional help from a qualified child psychologist or social worker for guidance and support. They can provide expert advice and help you navigate the situation effectively.

8: Foster open communication: Foster open communication with your child, other parents, and the daycare staff. Encourage children to communicate openly with you and with their caregivers about any concerns or discomfort related to touch. Keep the lines of communication open to address any issues that may arise.

9: Monitor the situation: Keep a vigilant eye on the situation and continue to monitor the child-to-child touch at daycare. Observe the behaviors and interactions of children, and report any concerning behaviors or patterns to the daycare staff. Stay involved and informed.

10: Follow up: Follow up with the daycare or child care provider to ensure that your concerns have been addressed and appropriate actions have been taken. Continue to maintain open communication and work collaboratively to create a safe and respectful environment for all children.

Remember, addressing child on child touch as a parent can be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable, so be gentle with yourself as you navigate this process and to seek support and guidance when you need to. For more resources, be sure to check out my Instagram page @yourbubble.education.