Parents of 3–7 year olds

Sonni: Hi, everyone. I’m Sonni Wilson, Executive Director of PPE Kids. Today I’m sitting down with someone very special. Lumi, would you like to say hello?

Lumi: Ahoy, grown-ups! I’m Lumi, First Mate Lumi, reporting for duty!

Sonni: First Mate! So who’s the captain?

Lumi: Your child is! Every child is the captain of their own ship, and their ship is their body. I’m their first mate. I help them steer.

Sonni: I love that. So, Lumi, what’s your job, really?

Lumi: My job is to give kids simple words they can remember and use. Words like “My body, my say,” and “Ask first.” When kids have the words, it’s easier for them to speak up.

Sonni: Parents sometimes ask me, “Isn’t this too scary for little ones?”

Lumi: Not at all! We don’t talk about scary strangers. We talk about how a body belongs to the person inside it. Safe touch, ask first, and no secrets about touching. Kids learn it with songs, games, and lots of “Aye aye!”

Sonni: Tell parents about the bright light and the dim light.

Lumi: When something feels safe, your light shines bright. When something feels yucky, sneaky, or secret, your light goes dim. A dim light means it’s time to tell a safe grown-up, today.

Sonni: And what should a parent say if their child does tell them something?

Lumi: Stay calm, and say, “Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing. My job is to help you be safe.” Then reach out for help.

Sonni: That’s so important. What about kids who learn differently, or don’t use many words?

Lumi: Every captain counts! We have a talk board with picture cards, a calm harbor for big feelings, and stories read out loud. Kids can point, tap, or show me. That counts too!

Sonni: And families can find all of this where?

Lumi: At ppekids.org/lumi! You can put the Lumi app right on your phone. It’s free, there are no ads, and nothing your child does is saved.

Sonni: Lumi, before we go, will you lead us in the Captain’s Oath?

Lumi: Aye aye! Say it with me, grown-ups! My body, my say. My body, my say. If not okay, yell no, tell today! And when the light shines bright…

Sonni: Aye aye, Lumi!

Lumi: Thanks for being a safe grown-up. Your captain is lucky to have you!

Sonni: Welcome back to Ask Lumi! Today’s question comes from a lot of parents. Lumi, why should kids learn the real names for their body parts?

Lumi: Great question! A captain knows every part of the ship, right? The deck, the sails, the anchor. Well, your child’s body is their ship. So we use the real names, like penis, vagina, bottom, and chest, the same way we say elbow or knee.

Sonni: Some parents feel a little awkward saying those words out loud.

Lumi: That’s okay! It gets easier with practice. When grown-ups say the words calmly, kids learn that their body isn’t something to be embarrassed about. It’s just part of them.

Sonni: Why does that matter for safety?

Lumi: Because clear words help kids tell. If a child uses a cute nickname, a grown-up might not understand what they’re trying to say. Real names make it easier for a child to explain, and easier for the grown-ups who love them to understand and help.

Sonni: So how can parents start?

Lumi: Bath time is perfect! Name the parts while you wash. And teach that private parts are the parts covered by a swimsuit. Nobody should touch them, unless they’re helping keep you clean or healthy, and they tell you first.

Sonni: That’s simple and clear. Thanks, Lumi!

Lumi: Aye aye! Remember, grown-ups: my body, my say!

Sonni: Welcome back to Ask Lumi. Today we’re talking about two little words that can make a big difference: “even if.” Lumi, what do you mean by that?

Lumi: Sometimes kids have a “but” in their head that stops them from telling. “But I’ll get in trouble.” “But they said it was a secret.” So we answer every “but” with an “even if.” Always tell a safe grown-up, no matter what. Even if.

Sonni: Let’s go through them. What’s the first one?

Lumi: Even if someone said to keep it a secret. We never keep secrets about touching.

Sonni: What else?

Lumi: Even if they said you’d get in trouble, or that nobody would believe you. Even if it’s someone you know and love. Even if it felt good, or confusing, or you weren’t sure it was wrong.

Sonni: That one matters so much.

Lumi: It really does. Bodies can feel things, and that never makes it a child’s fault. Even if you said yes at first, or went along with it. Even if you started the conversation, like in a game or a chat online. Even if you broke a rule, like going somewhere you weren’t supposed to.

Sonni: And if it happened a while ago?

Lumi: Even if it happened a long time ago. It’s never too late to tell. And even if you already told someone and nothing changed: tell another safe grown-up, and keep telling until someone helps.

Sonni: Lumi, what do you want parents to do with this?

Lumi: Say it to your child before anything ever happens. Try: “You can always tell me, even if. You will never be in trouble for telling me.”

Sonni: And if your child does tell you?

Lumi: Stay calm, and say, “Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing. My job is to help you be safe.” Then reach out for help.

Sonni: Thank you, Lumi. Grown-ups, remember: no matter what, even if.

Lumi: Aye aye! It’s never a child’s fault. Always tell.

Sonni: Welcome back to Ask Lumi! Here’s a question we hear a lot: “We teach our kids that nobody touches their private parts. But I have to help with baths and the potty. How do I do that without mixing up the rules?”

Lumi: Great question! Helping a child stay clean and healthy is part of being a safe grown-up. The rule isn’t “nobody ever.” It’s “only to keep you clean or healthy, and they tell you first.”

Sonni: So telling first is the key.

Lumi: Yes! Try saying what you’ll do before you do it. “Now I’m going to wash your bottom.” That way your child learns that safe help is never a surprise, and never a secret.

Sonni: What about as kids get older?

Lumi: Give the captain the wheel! Let them wash their own private parts as soon as they can. Say, “Your turn! You’re the captain of your body.” Grown-ups can coach from the side.

Sonni: And if a child says “stop”?

Lumi: Listen whenever you can. If you need to finish, say why: “I know, almost done. We need to get the soap off.” Kids learn their words matter.

Sonni: Any other tips for parents?

Lumi: Three quick ones! Use the real names for body parts. Make sure babysitters and relatives follow the same rules you do. And keep bath time photos private. Never post them online.

Sonni: That’s so helpful. Thanks, Lumi!

Lumi: Aye aye! Safe help is told first, never secret, and the captain gets the wheel!