Teaching Consent & Boundaries to Young Children

Respect is shared: One common mistake is teaching children to be polite at the cost of their comfort. "Go hug uncle, he came a long way" may seem harmless, but it subtly teaches that others' feelings matter more than their boundaries.

- DR CHANDNI TUGNAIT

Most adults associate the concept of consent with adulthood, relationships, or sex education. But the truth is, the basics of consent and boundaries begin much earlier, right in childhood. It's not about giving children complex lessons but about shaping the way they relate to themselves and others from the very start. When kids learn that their voice matters, their body is their own, and their choices have meaning, they grow up with a stronger sense of self-worth and empathy. These early teachings become the groundwork for respectful, healthy relationships later in life. And the best part is that they can be taught in the simplest everyday moments.