News and Black Belt Attitude: Stranger Danger

Valuable info on protecting your child

Developing a Black Belt Attitude this week will be on Stranger Danger. Please pass this on to as many people as you can. Like dropping a pebble in a pond, the ripples can have a significant effect on someone else’s life.

Five simple self-defence rules for children:

  1. If in doubt, out. Always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
  2. My safety first, their feelings second. It’s OK to be rude sometimes. Do what you have to and make yourself safe.
  3. Don’t be fooled. Adults don’t generally ask kids for help. They ask other adults for help.
  4. If confronted, bolt and run. Follow these four steps: No, Go, Yell and Tell. Scream out “No!” Run as fast as you can toward people. Scream. Don’t keep what happened a secret, even if the attacker threatens to hurt someone else if you do.
  5. If grabbed, stun and run. Never forget: No, Go, Yell and Tell.

More tips a parent can teach their child:

Ages 4-8

  1. No adult ever needs help from a child.
  2. Stay close to your guardian (within eye sight).
  3. If separated from your guardian look for a police officer, someone who works at the store or other authority figure.
  4. Make sure your child carries an identification card (i.e. Mom or Dad’s business card with a cell phone number and child’s name).
  5. If a stranger tries to hurt you, scream for help, kick, make a scene. Don’t stop!

Ages 8 and up

  1. You have more freedom. You MUST be aware of your surroundings.
  2. Listen to your intuition. If a situation seems wrong, it probably is.
  3. Carry identification and enough money to get home.
  4. Make sure someone knows your schedule, where you will be and when.
  5. If you find yourself attacked for any reason, fight back with everything you have. Don’t stop!

Black Belt Manners for the Digital Age

1. Always say hi or hello when you address an email.
2. Always use regards or something similar when finishing an email.
3. Don’t just sign an email off with an auto generated signature.
4. Acknowledge all mail.
5. Don’t hide behind emails. Talking face to face is better.

SUPER STARS HIGH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

Please note there is now no cost to join this program.

This mentoring program is in conjunction with your child’s normal martial arts class. The structure and syllabus and the teaching method will remain the same. This is just an add-on to reward students that want to excel in martial arts and hopefully in life. Successful applicants will be issued with a workbook to systematically work through, achieving set tasks for each category.

The aim of the program is to provide a code of ethics and behaviour that may guide your child to make the right decisions at the right time. The program will also be a handy adjunct to future school and job applications. The student needs to be minimum Super Star Green Belt to apply to join the program.

If you would like your child to be a part of this brand new program or would like more information, please email me personally: stephen@weststarmartialarts.com.au

EVENTS

Don’t forget you can stay tuned in to all the latest dates and events at WestStar on the new Events section of our website. We’re constantly updating the events page with all the latest happenings and important dates.