*NEED SUGGESTIONS* Putting on a presentation for Girl Scounts*

[wirelesscop]

Hey Everyone,

I was just asked to put on a short presentation for my daughter's Girls Scout (Daisy) Troop...TOMORROW!

The girls age's range from about 6-8.

I've talked to large groups of kids in the past...but I've never had to speak to such a young group. My previous talks were about DUI / Drugs / Social Media, etc. "Bigger" kid stuff.

I was hoping some of you out there would be able to give me some suggestions about what I can talk to them about.

One thing I DO want to impress upon the group is to run TOWARDS the Police and not AWAY from them. Other than that, I am kinda stumped.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your time!

[SmallCityCop]

I would do some kind of street safety/stranger awareness presentation, maybe social media/cyber safety...

[bpd303]

^^^^^^this^^^^ also get down to their level by sitting, so they don't feel overwhelmed by your height. If you can take a unit let them sit in it with you and play with the lights & siren (a little).

[L-1]

Talk to your Public Affairs people and see what kind of giveaways they have for kids, like key chains, stickers, t-shirts, blinky lights, etc. Grab as many of those as you can and distribute them at your talk.

If you agency is too small to be able to afford giveaways, talk to the Public Affairs officers from your nearest NJSP Post or a nearby large agency and see what they can give you. My agency used to have a ton of giveaways for kids and if you asked, the PAO would take you out to a shed and fill a box for you.

[5031OKC]

I've given a school presentation every year since 2002. First at the school my mom taught at, now at the school my kids go to. The presentation has always been to either 2nd graders or 4th graders. When presenting to the 2nd graders I found I had to simplify things a bit. If you aren't careful you will move beyond their capability of understanding very quickly. The most important topics you can cover with them are stranger danger, the importance of knowing their vital info (their address, parent's names, contact numbers for parents), and emphasizing that the police are there to HELP them.

The more stuff you can bring for them to look at the better, because if you try and talk to them for more than 10 minutes you will start rapidly losing them. When I do the presentation I usually have the grade broke in half. I do 45 minutes with each half. Each half of the grade usually has 40-45 kids in it. I talk to them for 5-10 minutes then spend the remainder of the time showing them a scout car. Then a couple of guys from Motors talk for 5-10 minutes then show them their motorcycles. Then one of our helicopter pilots talks for 5-10 minutes and then shows them the aircraft. I understand that the resources of various agencies differ. If Motors or aircraft aren't available, maybe a K-9 Unit (assuming you have a people friendly dog available).

If at all possible bring stuff to give away to them when you're done. I always bring the plastic clip-on badges, pencils, and usually something else (coloring book, wrist bands, just depends on what PCR has at the time). Again, I understand that resources differ, but if you can bring SOMETHING it will go a long way with them.

Good luck!

[HI629]

If you can't sit, then kneel, so you'll be closer to their eye level. Focus on how police are there to help, so don't be afraid to call 9-1-1 or approach an officer if they don't feel safe. Giveaways usually go pretty well. Talk about how officers help to direct traffic and find lost boys and girls and other "non-enforcement" tasks that officers do that the girls can relate to.

Good luck!

[Kieth M.]

In any presentation, to kids, I always make sure to ask...whose mommy is single, is a little top-heavy, likes to drink and has a lot of different men stay overnight sometimes...

Just gives me an idea of how to make the best presentation possible.

[SmallCityCop]

"Who is your daddy, and what does he do?"