Baan Oun Rak - Part 5:
The Safety Umbrella
At Baan Oun Rak, children practice a scenario of ‘a stranger’. Many are able to shout “No! Help Me!” and quickly run to an adult they trusted. This is the beginning of developing self-protection skills and the courage to signal for help.
There is the important question for children,
‘When children need help, who they can turn to?’
The caretaker asks children to make ‘the Safety Umbrellas’, writing the names of trusted adults on the umbrella ribs - parents, teachers, or close relatives - so that the children can concretely see their own ‘safety network’ and realize that when something upsetting happens, they are not alone.
From a child protection perspective, this activity reflects the creation of a ‘protective environment’ that does not rely solely on the child but connects the child to adults who play the important role in monitoring, and responding to risks in a timely manner. The ability of children to identify ‘trusted adults’ increases the chances of disclosure and accessing help more quickly, which is the key of an effective child protection system.
At the same time, for children who have experienced violence or unlawful care, this activity also provides valuable insights. ‘The Safety Umbrellas’ is also a psychosocial tool that aids in psychological recovery. Children gradually build a sense of security, reduce fear, and restore trust in adults and the outside world. Having a representation of ‘someone who is ready to help’ also reduces feelings of isolation and empowers children to feel valued and protected.
Therefore, the small paper umbrellas created that day were not just an art activity, but a learning tool, a protective tool, and a treatment tool that helped build both external skills and internal strength in children, while reminding them that on the days they need help, someone will always be there to ‘hold an umbrella’ and protect them.
“Protecting children is not the responsibility of one person, but of us all.”
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