Child Safety

Every Week Should be Children’s Week

By on April 3rd, 2019

Do you feel that? It’s spring. Flashback with me to times of simple childhood pleasures…picking little bouquets of yellow dandelions, blowing on those puffy spheres to scatter the seeds in the wind. Using color chalk to play hopscotch in the driveway. And pinwheels. The simple joy of making those colorful curls whirl and twirl. Ah, simpler times with not a care in the world.

That was my childhood. Continue reading


Pinwheels for Prevention

By on April 18th, 2017

This post was written in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Pinwheels for PreventionMy first realization that not all parents behave as loving parents was in the third grade with news that Penny’s mom had hit her over the head with a trophy. It was shocking, as child abuse was not a topic you typically heard of in the 70s, but conversations soon sprouted throughout our small suburban school and community.

Fast forward to today, and news of children being neglected and abused is far too prevalent.

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment and it is our duty as parents, educators—as humans—to look after them.

Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed pinwheels have popped up in your community and throughout Florida. A ceremony was held in Tallahassee earlier this month on the lawn of the Turlington Building, which serves as the home of the Florida Department of Education. These pinwheels represent Pinwheels for Prevention, a national campaign that engages communities in a coordinated effort to prevent child abuse. Continue reading


Child Abuse Prevention: An Educator’s Role

By on April 27th, 2016

Child Abuse Prevention MonthChild abuse can be a tricky topic for teachers.

Not only do we not want to think about something so horrific, but often, educators are not sure what exactly constitutes child abuse, what to look for as indicators, and, perhaps most of all, when to say something (and how to do it!).  Teachers, however, play an essential role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  According to www.childwelfare.gov, educators are invaluable to this cause because of their close and consistent contact with children, their unique opportunity to advocate for children, and their legal obligation to report suspicions of abuse.  Furthermore, studies demonstrate that a positive relationship with a supportive adult, like a teacher, can promote resiliency in children who have been victims of abuse. Continue reading