PULLMAN, Washington (CBS2) — The number of picture books available to parents for teaching young children about personal boundaries and saying “no” to inappropriate touching has significantly increased over the past decade. A recent study by Washington State University researchers identified “key gaps” in these books’ effectiveness in teaching concepts to help children understand consent.
The study analyzed over 100 picture books for children ages three to eight. Researchers compared these books against key tenets of consent education and child abuse prevention identified in past research.
While most books conveyed messages aligned with key tenets from previous research, such as bodily autonomy and setting personal boundaries, they also fell short in areas like using specific anatomical terms and depicting adults helping to set boundaries.
The study found that many books placed the burden of refusing inappropriate contact on children, presenting a “mean world” scenario and lacking trusted adults. This could create fear rather than emphasizing personal autonomy and safety.
While many books supported important ideas of bodily autonomy and boundary setting, researchers found gaps in areas of shared adult responsibility and the inclusion of grooming behaviors. Despite the shortcomings, many books still offered good general advice and a range of approaches.
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