Teaching Kids Boundaries: Prevention Skills That Start Early
Summary
What if the best time to prevent abuse and assault isn't high school, but preschool? Lacey and Sydney from the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault join the show to talk about the Butterfly Effect Program, a curriculum built for kids as young as three that teaches boundaries, consent (using kid-friendly language like "permission"), emotional regulation, and how to identify a safe adult, not just a trusted one.
This episode breaks down how early prevention education actually works in the classroom, why the word "no" isn't mean, and how parents and teachers can bring these same lessons home through an eight-book series designed for any family, anywhere.
Resources
Butterfly Effect Program Website - The book series and program discussed in this episode, teaching prevention skills to children ages 3 to 8.
Butterfly Effect Program YouTube Channel with songs
Facebook: Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
TIMESTAMPS
[01:34] Introduction to Lacey and Sydney, ACASA, and the Butterfly Effect Program
[04:38] Why prevention education needs to start in preschool
[06:18] The eight lessons: empathy, boundaries, rejection, and permission
[07:51] The Hulk smash story: teaching kids that "no" isn't mean
[09:46] Using the word "permission" vs "consent"
[11:22] Safe adult vs. trusted adult
[13:00] Secrets vs. surprises and the somatic connection
[14:06] Addressing boundaries and helping prevent perpetrators
[16:16] Accepting rejection and is saying "No" mean
[17:00] People-pleasing conditioning and how it connects to victimization
[19:00] The Butterfly Effect book and newsletters for homeschoolers, schools and parents
[24:26] Books, YouTube channel, the Boundary Bubble Song, and where to find everything
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
