Kids in the Know Program

Kids in the Know Program
Posted on 11/19/2020
Natasha Tsevende and Sue Devlin with the Kids in the Know puppetsNatasha Tsevende and Sue Devlin with the Kids in the Know puppets
The Kenora Catholic Mental Health Team is happy to provide the Kids in the Know Program to students at KCDSB. Kids in the know is a K to Grade 10 program and is available to any classroom within the KCDSB. The target grades this school year are K, Grade 2, Grade 4 and Grade 6.

In the Fall of 2018 Kenora Catholic partnered with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the Ontario Provincial Police to build capacity within our school board to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse and child exploitation. It was through these partnerships the Kenora Catholic was given the resources and training to provide the Kids in the Know program.

Mental Health Team member Natasha Tsevende talked about why she loves the program.

“I love the Kids in the Know program, and the main reason I love it so much is actually a little bit selfish. I think it’s a smart program, and as a parent I feel it gave me a language to speak to my own children about personal safety,” she said.

During a presentation to trustees during the November board meeting, Tsevende explained what the program is designed to do.

“Kids in the Know is evidence based and it provides children with tools that will help prevent that victimization. It focuses on 7 safety strategies that they teach. The core safety strategies are developmentally appropriate,” she said.
She also talked about what the desired outcome of the program is.

“The desired outcome of the program is to help children avoid victimization, to build a sense of esteem and confidence, to reduce feelings of blame and guilt, and promote disclosures and opportunities for early intervention. If we can even accomplish some of that it’s a huge win for Kenora Catholic.” She said.

Kids in the Know is a classroom based program and one of the main tools when speaking with younger grades are puppets. There are 6 puppets in total, and they all teach children different lessons.

Hooty the Owl teaches children that you’re safer when someone knows where you are, or where you’re going.

Baxter the Bunny talks about being safer when you bring a buddy.
Cosmo the Dog talks about trusting your instincts. If you feel unsafe, trust that instinct.

Toolie the Seal teaches children it’s ok to say “no” when someone is pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do, or that you know isn’t right. Even if that person is an adult.

Teatree the Frog and Macoon the Bear talk to children about secrets. They explain that secrets shouldn’t hurt, and that if a secret doesn’t have an ending – like a surprise birthday party, or a present – you should tell that secret to a trusted adult.

Through the partnership with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the Ontario Provincial Police the Mental Health Team also provides parent nights on online safety, and are able to take part in the Commit to Kids program. The Commit to Kids program teaches organizations how to proactively develop and implement policies and procedures to improve the personal safety of students.
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