1. Activity Introduction

Sometimes we need help.

Knowing which adults we can turn to is an important safety skill.

In this activity, you will make choices, explain your thinking, and practise what you could say when you need help.

Remember: Asking for help is a strength!

2. What Is a Trusted Adult?

A trusted adult is an adult who:

• listens to you
• cares about your safety
• takes your worries seriously
• helps you make safe choices
• gets more help when needed

A trusted adult might be a parent, grandparent, teacher, school staff member, relative, or another responsible adult you know.

A familiar adult is not automatically the right person for every situation. Think about who is responsible, safe, and able to help.

3. Activity: “Who Would You Ask?”

How to play

Read each situation.

Look at the three choices.

Who would you ask for help?

Choose one, then explain why you chose that person.

There may be more than one suitable adult in real life. For this activity, choose the person who is the most appropriate helper in the situation described.

Situation 1 — Lost in a Busy Place

You are at a busy shopping centre with your family. You cannot see your family members and do not know where they are.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A shop staff member at the customer-service desk
B. A person you have never met who asks you to follow them outside
C. Another child who is shopping with their friends

Answer: A — A shop staff member at the customer-service desk.

Why?
A responsible staff member can help you safely and can get other adults to help find your family. You do not need to follow an unknown person somewhere else.

Situation 2 — Someone Keeps Bothering You at School

Another student keeps bothering you during school time. You have tried to move away, but the problem continues.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A teacher or another school staff member
B. A student you have never met
C. Keep it to yourself and hope it stops

Answer: A — A teacher or another school staff member.

Why?
Teachers and school staff are responsible for helping students. They can listen to your concern and decide what help is needed.

Situation 3 — An Uncomfortable Online Message

You receive a message online that makes you uncomfortable. You are not sure what it means or what you should do.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A parent, caregiver, teacher, or another trusted adult
B. The person who sent the message
C. Another unknown person online

Answer: A — A trusted adult.

Why?
A trusted adult can listen, help you understand what happened, and help you decide what to do next. You do not have to deal with an uncomfortable online situation by yourself.

Situation 4 — “I Don’t Know What to Do”

You are worried about something and feel confused about what to do.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A trusted adult who knows you and can listen
B. Keep the worry secret
C. Ask a stranger online for advice

Answer: A — A trusted adult who knows you and can listen.

Why?
A trusted adult can listen to your concern and help you make a safe choice. You never need to feel ashamed about asking for help.

Situation 5 — You Are Somewhere Unfamiliar

You are visiting a place you do not know well. You need assistance finding the right place to meet your family.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A responsible adult working at the place
B. Someone who tells you to come somewhere private with them
C. Walk away without telling anyone

Answer: A — A responsible adult working at the place.

Why?
A responsible adult working there can help you find the right place or contact the appropriate person. You can stay in a safe, public place while getting help.

Situation 6 — Another Child May Need Help

You notice another child who looks worried and says they need help.

Who would you ask for help?

A. A nearby teacher, parent, school staff member, or other responsible adult
B. Try to solve a serious problem by yourself
C. Tell the child to keep the problem secret

Answer: A — A responsible adult.

Why?
Adults who are responsible for children’s safety can listen and decide what help is needed. You can help by getting a safe adult rather than trying to handle a serious problem yourself.

4. Activity: “Why?”

Now think about why a particular adult would be a good person to approach.

There may be more than one good answer. Tell your partner, parent, or teacher what you think.

Situation 1

You are at school and have a worry that you want to talk about.

Why might a teacher be a good person to ask?

Possible ideas:

• The teacher can listen.
• The teacher is responsible for helping students.
• The teacher can get another adult to help if needed.

Situation 2

You are with a family member you know and feel worried about something.

Why might a parent, caregiver, grandparent, or another responsible family member be a good person to ask?

Possible ideas:

• They know you.
• They can listen and take your concern seriously.
• They can help you decide what to do.

Situation 3

You are in a school building and need help, but your usual teacher is not nearby.

Why might another school staff member be a good person to approach?

Possible ideas:

• They are a responsible adult at the school.
• They can listen.
• They can get the right person to help you.

5. Practice: “What Would You Say?”

Sometimes the hardest part is knowing what words to use.

Practise saying these sentences aloud with a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.

Practice 1

Situation: Something happened and you do not feel safe.

Try saying:

“I need help. Something happened and I don’t feel safe.”

Practice 2

Situation: You are confused about something and need an adult’s help.

Try saying:

“I am worried and I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?”

Practice 3

Situation: You tried to explain something, but the adult did not understand.

Try saying:

“I need you to listen. This is important to me.”

Your turn!

Choose one sentence and say it aloud.

Then practise saying it again in your own words.

Remember: You do not need perfect words. It is okay to ask for help.

6. “Keep Asking Until You Get Help”

Sometimes the first safe adult may be busy, unavailable, or unable to solve the problem.

Imagine this:

You tell a teacher about a worry, but the teacher is about to leave for another class.

The teacher says, “Please talk to another teacher or school staff member who can help you.”

What should you do?

Keep asking another safe adult for help.

The important safety message is:

“If the first safe adult cannot help, ask another trusted adult.”

Keep asking until a responsible adult listens and helps you get the support you need.

7. Quick Safety Reminder

Remember:

• I can ask a trusted adult for help.
• I can explain what is wrong.
• I do not have to keep a safety worry to myself.
• If one adult cannot help, I can ask another safe adult.

8. Adult Support Note

Let the child answer each situation before explaining the answer.

Ask simple follow-up questions such as:

• “What made that adult a good choice?”
• “What could you say?”
• “Who else could help in that situation?”

Discuss the child’s own trusted adults naturally, without turning this activity into a name-recording exercise.

Practise the help-seeking sentences aloud.

Reinforce that asking for help is a strength. Avoid suggesting that children should distrust adults; instead, help them think about whether an adult is responsible, safe, able to listen, and able to get further help.