Have you ever thought about the ways you could make a difference in a child’s life? As April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, we want to give you a list of 10 ways you can help prevent child abuse and how you can make an impact.
- Be a nurturing parent
- Children need to know they are special, loved, and capable of following their dreams.
- Help a friend, neighbor, or relative
- Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a hand to take care of children so parents can rest or spend time together.
- Help yourself
- When the big and little problems of your everyday life pile up to the point where you feel overwhelmed and out of control – take a time out! Don’t take it out on your child.
- If your baby cries
- It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry. Learn what to do it your baby won’t stop crying. Never shake a baby – shaking a child may result in severe injury or death.
- Get involved
- Ask you community leaders, clergy, library, and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and famillies.
- Help to develop parenting resources at your local library
- Find out whether your local library has parenting resources, and if not, offer to help obtain some.
- Promote programs in schools
- Teaching children, parents, and teachers prevention strategies can help keep children safe.
- Monitor your child’s TV, video, and internet viewing
- Excessively watching violent films, TV programs, and videos can harm young children.
- Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program
- For information about volunteer programs and opportunities, call 1-800-CHILDREN or contact your local Prevent Child Abuse America Chapter.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect
- If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or your local police department.