Story of the Little Child - Child Abuse Prevention Story

Written by Janiece Hopper

Scene V: Sunshine's house -- bedroom.

Sunshine: I feel sick. My ear hurts and my throat is so sore. I need some juice and oatmeal. "Mommy! Mommy!"

Bear: Your mommy is not home. There is no juice and no oatmeal.

Sunshine: "No Mommy? No!"

Bear: I am sorry you are sick and home alone. Your mom has a problem. She should never leave you home alone. You should have someone to take care of you. You are a little child. You need to be loved. Find a trusted adult and tell what has happened so they can help you and help your mom with her problem.

Sunshine: Come on, Bear, let's go tell our good neighbor.

Bear: Sunshine went to tell the good neighbor. (Neighbor hugs Sunshine.) She helped The Little Child feel better and found someone to help Mommy take better care of Sunshine.

Scene VI: Outside, Teacher

Teacher: The Little Child grew and grew. Sunshine liked to tell jokes and laugh and sing, but one day The Little Child was quiet and sad.

SEXUAL ABUSE - Pause videotape. Show picture of a child in a bathing suit. Explain that when someone touches a child on the part that is covered by a bathing suit, it is called sexual abuse.

Sunshine stands under the rain cloud with Bear.

Sunshine: I feel sad. Today, I was at my friend's house and the big brother touched me in my private zone. I didn't like it. He said to keep the touches a secret.

Bear: I am sorry someone touched you in a way that made you feel bad. No one should touch your body in the parts that are covered up by a bathing suit. No one should ask you to touch their private zone either. Your body belongs to you. You are a little child You should only have good touches like gentle pats on the back and hugs and kisses from people you love and who love you. You are a little child and no one should tell you to keep secrets from your trusted adults. It makes you sad to keep scary secrets from the grown-ups you love.

Sunshine: I know what will help me.

Bear: What?

Sunshine: I will find a trusted adult to tell.

Sunshine and Bear hug and go tell.

Bear: Sunshine told the teacher at school. (Teacher pats Sunshine on the back.) The teacher helped Sunshine feel better, and she found some people to help the big brother stop hurting little children.

Back curtain closes.

Scene VII: Parents and Bear come out.

Mom: Sunshine was born needing and deserving good care and love. Sunshine wanted and needed to love others. Some people hurt Sunshine. This wasn't fair. It wasn't fair when I hurt Sunshine.

Dad: Sunshine was born needing and deserving good care and love. Sunshine wanted and needed to love others. Some people hurt Sunshine. It was never, ever Sunshine's fault. It wasn't Sunshine's fault when I hurt Sunshine.

Bear: Sunshine learned that when someone hurts or scares a little child, it is very good to find a trusted adult to tell to get help. Sunshine is a grown-up now, but she still sings and dances inside the grown-up's body. Sunshine remembers how it feels to be hurt and scared. Sunshine is now a trusted adult. Everyone can find a trusted adult. You can find a trusted adult when you are sad or scared.

Activities for The Story of the Little Child

1. Have children ask their parents what special kind of weather occurred in the town on the day they were born, and what kind of celebrations took place to celebrate their birth. Who was happy when they were born?

2. Have children draw or bring in pictures of their trusted adults to share.

Tell the children we will be discussing child abuse today. Tell them that child abuse happens too often to children -- it may have happened to one of them. Explain that today's lessons are to learn about child abuse and how to stop it. If they wish to share personal stories with you they are welcome to do so during recess or before or after class. Explain to them that some of the things they will be seeing in the film may make them sad or scared or embarrassed. Ask them what children who feel embarrassed are likely to do (i.e., blush, giggle, or make fun). Tell them today giggling or making fun are not options for behavior, but that you do want to know if they are feeling sad, scared, or embarrassed. Model -- placing both hands over your cheeks to signfy discomfort. Assure them that if they give you this sign you will try to alter the lesson to help them.

Classroom Discussion: The Story of the Little Child

The Story of The Little Child Discussion Questions

1. Who was happy when Sunshine was born?

Answer: Mommy, Daddy, Bear, Grandma, the Good Neighbor, and the Teacher.

2. Grandma, the Good Neighbor, and the Teacher were Sunshine's Trusted Adults. Who is a trusted adult?

Answer: A trusted adult is someone who loves you and wants you to feel happy and safe. A trusted adult will help you if you feel bad or sad.

3. What did Sunshine do when someone hurt or scared Sunshine?

Answer: Sunshine told the trusted adult.

4. What did the trusted adult do for Sunshine?

Answer: The trusted adult helped Sunshine.

5. You might have lots of trusted adults. Raise your hand if you have a trusted adult. Raise your hand if you'd like to share who is one of your trusted adults.

Answer: Can include mommy, daddy, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins, teachers, doctors, police officers.

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