Teaching your child about consent is one of the most important things you can do to help keep them safe. It is also an important building block to empower your child to make their own decisions.
What does consent mean?
Why is teaching about consent so important?
What if my child is non-verbal?
Do I have to ask my child for consent to hug them?
Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something.
- One person asks for consent to do something before it happens
- The other person thinks about what they want to do. They can choose to give their consent. They have a choice to communicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- They can also change their mind later on
- touching any part of another person’s body e.g., hugging, kissing on the cheek, high five, shaking hands, during medical procedures
- touching another person’s private body parts e.g., during personal care, getting dressed, during medical procedures
- touching somebody’s belongings e.g., mobile phone, pet, toys
- entering somebody’s private place
- entering somebody’s home or car
- doing an activity together e.g., playing a game, going out to a movie
What does consent mean?
Why is teaching about consent so important?
What if my child is non-verbal?
Do I have to ask my child for consent to hug them?
Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something.
- One person asks for consent to do something before it happens
- The other person thinks about what they want to do. They can choose to give their consent. They have a choice to communicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- They can also change their mind later on
- touching any part of another person’s body e.g., hugging, kissing on the cheek, high five, shaking hands, during medical procedures
- touching another person’s private body parts e.g., during personal care, getting dressed, during medical procedures
- touching somebody’s belongings e.g., mobile phone, pet, toys
- entering somebody’s private place
- entering somebody’s home or car
- doing an activity together e.g., playing a game, going out to a movie
What does consent mean?
Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something.
- One person asks for consent to do something before it happens
- The other person thinks about what they want to do. They can choose to give their consent. They have a choice to communicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- They can also change their mind later on
- touching any part of another person’s body e.g., hugging, kissing on the cheek, high five, shaking hands, during medical procedures
- touching another person’s private body parts e.g., during personal care, getting dressed, during medical procedures
- touching somebody’s belongings e.g., mobile phone, pet, toys
- entering somebody’s private place
- entering somebody’s home or car
- doing an activity together e.g., playing a game, going out to a movie
Why is teaching about consent so important?
At the centre of consent is understanding that my body belongs to me, and respecting that your body belongs to you.
Understanding consent is essential for:
- good communication and social skills
- healthy relationships
- meaningful community participation
- good decision making
- minimising vulnerability to exploitation and abuse
What if my child is non-verbal?
Your child does not need to communicate verbally to be able to ask for or give consent. Consent can be asked for or given in any way that your child communicates, including non-verbal communication. It can include things like:
- nodding ‘yes’ or shaking your head ‘no’
- using a thumbs up or thumbs down
- pushing somebody or something away when it isn’t wanted
- offering something to somebody and waiting for them to take it
- using a hand gesture to ask somebody to follow, and that person then following
Do I have to ask my child for consent to hug them?
Asking your child for consent to touch them may feel awkward. Making your child ask you for consent before they touch you may feel awkward too.
However, if your child has difficulty giving consent, it is important that they have plenty of opportunity to practise with you and other safe people in their life. It is also helpful to teach consent clearly and repeatedly in as many daily situations as possible. Consistency from you and the other important people in your child’s life will help to support your child’s learning.
What does consent mean?
Consent is when one person agrees or gives permission to another person to do something.
- One person asks for consent to do something before it happens
- The other person thinks about what they want to do. They can choose to give their consent. They have a choice to communicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’
- They can also change their mind later on
- touching any part of another person’s body e.g., hugging, kissing on the cheek, high five, shaking hands, during medical procedures
- touching another person’s private body parts e.g., during personal care, getting dressed, during medical procedures
- touching somebody’s belongings e.g., mobile phone, pet, toys
- entering somebody’s private place
- entering somebody’s home or car
- doing an activity together e.g., playing a game, going out to a movie
Why is teaching about consent so important?
At the centre of consent is understanding that my body belongs to me, and respecting that your body belongs to you.
Understanding consent is essential for:
- good communication and social skills
- healthy relationships
- meaningful community participation
- good decision making
- minimising vulnerability to exploitation and abuse
What if my child is non-verbal?
Your child does not need to communicate verbally to be able to ask for or give consent. Consent can be asked for or given in any way that your child communicates, including non-verbal communication. It can include things like:
- nodding ‘yes’ or shaking your head ‘no’
- using a thumbs up or thumbs down
- pushing somebody or something away when it isn’t wanted
- offering something to somebody and waiting for them to take it
- using a hand gesture to ask somebody to follow, and that person then following
Do I have to ask my child for consent to hug them?
Asking your child for consent to touch them may feel awkward. Making your child ask you for consent before they touch you may feel awkward too.
However, if your child has difficulty giving consent, it is important that they have plenty of opportunity to practise with you and other safe people in their life. It is also helpful to teach consent clearly and repeatedly in as many daily situations as possible. Consistency from you and the other important people in your child’s life will help to support your child’s learning.
Strategies for you to try
Create opportunities for your child to practise giving consent
Ask your child for their consent in as many opportunities as possible during their daily routine. Key practice opportunities include:- before providing personal care (e.g., showering, toileting, dressing)
- before giving hugs or other affectionate touch
- before entering your child’s private space (e.g., bedroom)
Create opportunities for your child to practise asking for consent
Being able to ask for consent is equally important as being able to give consent. Both skills are required. Prompt your child to ask other people for their consent in as many opportunities as possible during their daily routine. Start with prompting them to ask simple questions using their preferred communication style. For example, ‘Can I…?’ Teachers, health professionals and other family members should also be encouraged to prompt your child to ask others for consent. Key opportunities for practise include:- before touching other people e.g., giving hugs to other people, including you
- before touching other people’s belongings e.g., phone, computer, toys
- when planning outings or playing games with friends
An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch
