Let's Talk About Touching (LTAT)

Let’s Talk About Touching (LTAT) is a program that supports children’s learning about Personal Safety and Body Awareness and was designed to increase abuse resistance in children. Developed in British Columbia by the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), this program was designed for children 0- 8 years in both Early Learning Child Care (ELCC) programs and primary grades (up to grade 3).

The program underscores the importance of body autonomy, educating children on their rights to have control over their bodies, who touches them and how they are touched. It helps them to differentiate between safe touches and not safe touches. LTAT gives children some beginning skills to safeguard themselves: by saying “no” or “stop”, getting away, and getting help by confiding in a trusted person.

child playing with a bucket of water outside

LTAT Training

The third edition of LTAT was updated to reflect current educational practices and to be more responsive to the needs of a diverse population of children and their families. The revisions were influenced by current research on sexual abuse prevention education for young children and an extensive program evaluation of the second edition. These updates include learning from a generational trauma-informed lens which acknowledges the impact of assimilation, colonization, residential schools, day schools, 60’s scoop, foster care, and the sexual exploitation of Indigenous peoples. Other learnings around gender expression, identity, and sexual orientation were considered in this updated edition. The third edition of LTAT was developed in consultation with early learning and childcare educators, primary teachers, sexual health experts, and other professionals who provided insight and guidance.

LTAT embraces the BC Early Learning Framework (ELF), the Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework (IELCCF) and the ECEBC Code of Ethics, which emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, to encourage you to critically reflect on how to implement LTAT with children.

Training For ECE's & Teachers

Completion of the 14.5-hour Educator Training is required to access an LTAT kit. Following educator training, participants submit an implementation package to ECEBC. Once approved they will receive an LTAT Kit.

A Let’s Talk About Touching Educator Certificate is issued upon successful completion of implementation of the program with children.

The Kit

Let’s Talk Educators are provided with a kit once an implementation plan is submitted. The kit contains the following materials:

A Children’s Program Guide that includes nine lesson plans and the Six Body Safety Rules
Access to the LTAT COP on the BC Early Year Hub where a variety of resource materials can be accessed including information to share with families.
8 teaching pictures (11”x17” photographs) depicting positive touch.
10 felt board figures and 4 cards of felt board words.
45 sorting cards of positive touch.
2 puppets with 16 interchangeable faces to represent different characters.
Let’s Talk Song Collection
2 teaching dolls

Cari

Let’s Talk about Touching Program Coordinator

crawling@ecebc.ca

Cari is a dedicated advocate and educator committed to supporting children and families. As the Program Coordinator for ECEBC’s Let's Talk About Touching (LTAT) Program, Cari leads this essential initiative to strengthen children’s understanding of personal safety and increase abuse resistance. Through LTAT, she ensures that early childhood educators across the province are equipped to create safe, supportive environments for young learners.

Cari also serves as a StrongStart Educator for School District #28, providing guidance and resources to families as they transition from early learning into the school system. Her commitment to early childhood development and inclusive education makes her a compassionate advocate and a strong supporter of families.

Cari lives and works on the unceded land of the Lhtako Dene, honoring the land and its communities in all that she does.

Training For Community Supports

ECEBC recognizes the importance of developing local networks of administrators, community agencies and professionals who can support the Let’s Talk prevention program. Other applicants will be considered on by a case-by-case basis. As non-implementing attendees, a kit will not be provided. Please contact: crawling@ecebc.ca to discuss eligibility.

Communities may wish to contact ECEBC to discuss teacher training or other custom training in their communities. LTAT information sessions for other interested health and social service professionals and community members are available on request.

Early childhood educator and child holding up a carrot from a garden

Becoming A Let's Talk Trainer

ECEBC is looking for experienced and knowledgeable trainers to offer the LTAT Teacher Training to educators in their communities. The Train-the-Trainer program prepares experienced program facilitators to offer Let's Talk Teacher Training to ECEs and primary teachers in their communities. It is ECEBC’s policy that facilitators who qualify to become LTAT Trainers have the necessary skills and abilities to work with groups of adults. These include good communication skills, comfort with public speaking and some knowledge of, or experience with, teaching and facilitating groups working with sensitive content. The aim is to maintain a high quality of teacher training through the province. Ideal candidates have at least two years recent experience teaching children and implementing the Let’s Talk About Touching Sexual Abuse Prevention Program in classroom and/or a combination of comparable skills and experience.

ECEBC recognizes that our training policies may not apply to all communities in British Columbia, particularly those where no trained ECE or Primary School Teacher is available. For such communities, ECEBC acknowledges that other health and social service professionals may be the best choice for participating in training and will examine each situation on a case-by-case basis.

For more information and to receive an application package, please contact Annette at amaglieri@ecebc.ca

Educator FAQ's

Sexual abuse is a sensitive topic. How can I introduce Let’s Talk to the parents at my program?

The Let’s Talk About Touching Children’s Program Guide provides several ideas to help introduce the program to families. A sample information session letter and a parent newsletter are available to trained Educators on the BC Early Year Hub in the LTAT Community of Practice. ECEBC recommends holding parent meetings before starting the program in your centre or classroom to explain the program's objectives, address any concerns, and answer questions. This helps create an open and supportive environment for parents as you introduce sensitive topics.

How can I make Let’s Talk work in my family child care centre?

Let’s Talk About Touching is designed for children aged 0-8 years, and ECEBC appreciates that as an educator, you have the skills to adapt the program to meet the unique needs of the children in your care. Many family child care providers find that adjusting the activities and materials to fit the age range of the children they work with is key.

How long is the educator training for Let's Talk About Touching?

The Let's Talk About Touching consists of: 14.5 hours of experiential, hands-on learning, covering the effective, trauma-informed implementation of the LTAT Children’s Program, including how to incorporate body safety into everyday practice.

After completing the training, educators will have access to the LTAT Community of Practice, resources and ongoing support through the BC Early Years Hub.

Parent FAQ's

How does Let’s Talk teach my child skills to help protect him/herself from abuse?

Let’s Talk teaches children that their bodies belong to them and that they have the right to decide who touches them and how. While the program emphasizes the positive, caring, and fun touches children experience, it also helps them recognize touches that are “not safe.” Children learn and practice three key safety rules:

Say “no” or “stop”
Get away
Tell an adult.

These skills empower children to assert their boundaries and seek help when needed.

Could Let’s Talk About Touching make my child anxious?

Let’s Talk About Touching is delivered in a child-friendly and sensitive manner by educators who have a relationship with the child. The program emphasizes positive, appropriate touch and empowers children to understand their boundaries. By teaching children how to recognize safe touch and how to assert themselves when something doesn’t feel right, it helps them feel more confident and in control of their own bodies. Educators ensure that the content is presented in a way that is comfortable for the child, reducing the risk of anxiety.

Where can I go to learn more about Let’s Talk About Touching?

The educator will be able to provide you with more detailed information about Let’s Talk About Touching. It is also recommended that you attend the Parent Information session and review the newsletter created specifically for parents, which offers valuable insights into the program and how it supports children’s safety and well-being.

People Are Talking!

What Early Childhood Educators are saying about Let’s Talk.

The program is empowering and enriching to the children and families in my centre.”

Vancouver

It is wonderful to have all the parent information in seven cultural languages!”

Surrey

Let's Talk has given me words to use with children when approached with a question.”

Terrace

It’s a serious topic, but we laughed and had fun and learned lots. I felt excited to take Let’s Talk back to my centre.”

Cranbrook

Having the parent resources to review made our parent meeting easier and more comfortable.”

Prince George

I love how each lesson is scripted and easy to follow! Each lesson has lesson planners, material on diversity and children needing extra support. It’s so welcoming!”

Courtenay