Keeping private things private — Ethics, 4–6 years
Learn that some words, pictures, and body information belong to a person and should not be passed around.
What privacy means
Privacy means a person can choose which personal things stay with them and which may be shared. Personal things can include a body, a drawing, a message, or a family story. Respecting privacy means not looking, showing, or telling without permission, except when a trusted adult must help keep someone safe.
Why privacy is needed
Without privacy, people can feel watched, embarrassed, or powerless over their own stories and bodies. The idea grew from a simple problem: sharing something about one person can affect that person even when the sharer is curious or excited. A clear boundary helps people feel safe and in charge of personal information.
A private picture
Noah draws a picture of his family and leaves it on the table. Ava finds it and wants to show it to everyone. She asks, “May I show this?” Noah says no. Ava leaves it where it was and does not take a photo, because the picture belongs to Noah to share or keep.
The understandable mistake
A common mistake is thinking, “I saw it, so I may tell everyone,” or “It is funny, so it cannot hurt.” This is reasonable because exciting news makes us want to share quickly. But seeing something is not owning it, and a trusted adult should be told if a secret involves danger, threats, or unsafe touching.
Where it appears
Privacy matters in a bathroom, at the doctor, during dressing, and when someone shows you a drawing or tells you a family matter. It also matters with phones and tablets: ask before taking or sharing a picture. Safety is different from gossip; adults may need personal information to protect someone.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…