par 7- Breaking off conversations and keeping a distance
Your child should know that he/she is not obliged to talk to strangers, so, if the conversation lasts longer than 5-7 seconds, it’s best to leave and head for a safe location. While the conversation lasts, a child should always stand at a distance of 6.5-8 feet away from a stranger; if a stranger tries to come closer, it is important to take a step back. Practice this situation with your child, show him/her what a distance of 6.5 feet looks like, and stress that it should be maintained no matter what.
8- Avoid sharing the elevator with strangers
Teach your child to wait for the elevator with his/her back to the wall so as to be able to see anyone approach. And, if it’s a stranger or someone barely familiar, your little one should invent any excuse not to enter the elevator with this person. The best options are to pretend to have forgotten something or to go and check the mailbox. If the person persists in his/her invitations to step into the elevator, your child must politely reply, « My parents say that I should only ride the elevator alone or with our neighbors. » Tell your child that if a stranger tries to drag him/her inside the cabin by force or to gag his/her mouth, it is crucially important to fight, scream, and bite until adults come to the rescue.
