Our school offers RadKidz to the 3rd graders during their PE class. RadKidz is a program designed by a police officer to teach kids how to handle danger. It teaches them to run, that they do not have a right to hurt another person unless someone is hurting them and that its not their fault so they should tell someone. Then they teach them how to defend themseles. Its a really good program. When they are done, they do a simulation with the kids, allowing their parents to come see what they've learned and helping the kids to try out their newly learned skills. Taylor had her simulation this past week. Isn't she cute in her elbow pads? 
They start out by having the group show off all the different "moves" - hits, jabs, kicks, using their hands, elbows, knees, feet and even heads to "fight off" their attackers. They also teach them to scream things like NO NO, GET BACK, when they are hitting.
After they show us the moves, they show us the moves in action against pads. 
Then they do the simulation part. Each child takes a turn. First a stranger approaches them, and tries to get them to go with them, so they scream and run away. Then a stranger approaches them (a dummy) and "reaches" for them so they pepper him (punch his eyes) until they can run. Last, a stranger approaches them (a police officer dressed in protective gear) and corners them. They don't have anywhere to run so they tell him to stand back and when he grabs them, the kids get to use ALL the skills they've been taught to get away from him - kicks, elbow jabs, head butts, punches and hits... Taylor got off a kick just as he picked her up that I think would have caused ANY unprotected guy to drop her. There was a very solid THUD as her foot met his protective padding. The coaches stand near by and remind them of other things they can do until the "stranger" drops them and they can run away. Taylor told me it was a little scary having him grab her like that, but I think it empowered her. I was proud of her for not playing shy... she really stuck it to him. I took a video of it, but I have yet to figure out how to post them on here. Very proud of her!
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