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Let's talk PANTS

Blog
NSPCC
06 Mar 2024

We use simple conversations to teach children to cross the road safely and how to deal with bullying and strangers. Rightly so. But what about teaching them their body belongs to them? We understand that conversations like this can be challenging with a child. Here is where Talk PANTS can help. It is a simple way to help keep children safe from sexual abuse without ever using scary words or even mentioning sex.

Since 2022, over 100,000 professionals have visited our Talk PANTS resources – to help them teach these important messages to their pupils, and we have seen how these simple conversations can really help keep them safe. The NSPCC have also recently launched a new set of resources for those who work with younger children, tailoring activities to the needs and abilities of your learners.

Child reading a book

What is PANTS?

PANTS is a simple acronym that helps make a difficult topic easy and appropriate for children aged 3-11. From P through to S, each letter of PANTS provides a simple but valuable lesson that can help keep a child safe It teaches children their body belongs to them, they have a right to say no, and they should tell an adult they trust if they're worried or upset.

Privates are private

Be clear with a child that their underwear covers up their private parts and that private means private. Explain that no one should ask to see or touch their private parts covered by their underwear and discuss when there may be exceptions.

Always remember your body belongs to you

Let the child know that their body belongs to them and that no one else can touch them without their permission. Explain when someone makes them feel uncomfortable, they should tell a trusted adult immediately – and that it is never their fault.

No means no

Ensure the child understands they have the right to say 'No' to unwanted touch – even to a family member or someone they know or love. They're in control of their body and no one should ever make them do things that make them feel uncomfortable.

Talk about secrets that upset you

Talk about the difference between good and bad secrets, highlighting how each should make the child feel. Explain to the child that they should always talk about things that worry them, including secrets. And that sharing it shouldn't get them into trouble, even if somebody has told them it will.

Speak up, someone can help

Tell the child it's always good to talk to a safe adult they trust about anything that makes them sad, anxious or frightened so they can help.

How do I get started?

We understand how this may be a complex topic to introduce to your classroom, which is why we have created brand new, free resources for you to educate the children you care for in an age-appropriate and relevant way. We have free activity suggestions for children ages 3 - in pre-school or nursery settings. These can be used to introduce the PANTS rules through direct teacher-led and more spontaneous indirect, child-initiated activities that may arise naturally in classroom settings.

The NSPCC has plenty of resources on their website on how to start talking PANTS. Resources include free lesson plans, classroom activities and teaching guidance to use with your pupils to help them recognise and repeat the Talk PANTS rule, including applying the rules to real-life scenarios - embedding an important message in a fun, interactive way.

Child colouring in a colouring book

You can also watch the Pantosaurus video with your learners and get them to sing along to his very catchy song, a perfect introduction to the PANTS messages. In addition to this, you can sign up for PANTS email tips for regular advice on how to keep your children safe from sexual abuse.

About our new resources:

We’ve developed a range of resources with the PSHE Association that have been designed to fit with UK curriculums and are free for schools and childcare settings to use. Our lesson plans and resources are tailored specifically to early years, 5-7 years, 7-11 years and for children with SEND. All lessons are accompanied with PowerPoint slides and there’s also a school display pack so you can create a roar-some PANTS display to reinforce the messages! To make sure teachers have all the support they need, we’ve also written teaching guidance with lots of supporting information, and this also shows how the resources link up with the curriculum in all 4 nations and the Channel Isles.

These activities have been taken from Little Learners, a FREE magazine full of early years resources and activities. Click here to read our latest issue!

nspcc

Author

NSPCC

The NSPCC has worked at the heart of keeping children safe for over 130 years. Their vital work ranges from delivering therapeutic services, working with schools, conducting ground-breaking research, campaigning for change, and running national helplines – including Childline for children and the NSPCC Helpline for concerned adults. Half a million children suffer abuse in the UK every year which is why it’s vital that the NSPCC can remain there for children and their families.