Foreword from the Commissioner of Police

Amazing ME is a life skills programme for children aged 2 to 5 years. It has been developed by Early Childhood Development working closely with the Youth Education Service of Police, Children Young Persons and their Families Agency, Public Health Nurse Services, Health Protection and the Children's Issues Centre of Otago University. The programme aims to give young children the knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to seek help and keep themselves safe.

Because Amazing ME will help children keep safe when they meet other people, it is seen by Police as being particularly suitable as preparation for the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme youngsters are taught at school.

While Police believe that it is important to start teaching life skills to children at a young age, they also recognise the extent to which children have to rely on adults to keep safe. Children are often vulnerable in the community.

As Commissioner of Police I urge all adults to be mindful of the need to help protect the young. I hope all early childhood centres will operate programmes like Amazing ME and in doing so, actively involve their parents, caregivers and teachers in their learning experiences and activities.

Police are pleased to have been involved in the development of Amazing ME.

Peter Doone
Commissioner of Police