Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure Program

Prospective users

Aims & approach

Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure empowers children aged 3-8 years with essential personal safety knowledge and tools in a safe and engaging environment, delivered by trained Bravehearts presenters and Ditto the lion cub.

The program consists of three age-specific shows (live or digital), each tailored to children's developmental stages and aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) or the Australian Curriculum.

• Early Years Show: ages 3-4
• Foundation Year Show: ages 5-6
• Years 1 and 2 Show: ages 7-8

The core safety concepts covered include differentiating safe and unsafe feelings, recognising the body's warning signs, body ownership and that it's okay to say no, helping children name public and private parts using anatomically correct names, reinforcing that there is no secret that children cannot tell someone, and what to do if children feel unsafe or unsure.

There are two options for delivery:

• The Live incursion and the Digital Ditto Show. The live incursion is delivered by trained Bravehearts presenters in coverage areas including South East Queensland, Sydney and the NSW South Coast, Geelong Victoria, and Tasmania.
• The Digital Ditto Show is delivered via a secure online platform and available to all schools and early learning centres outside live delivery areas, with educator guides and follow-up resources included.

Each session runs for approximately 30-40 minutes and includes songs, storytelling, movement, and interactive elements to support behavioural learning and retention.

They include a ready-to-teach Classroom Kit comprising lesson plans and activities to reinforce key messages, individual take-home activity books for children, parent and teacher resources to support ongoing conversations, and support via Bravehearts' National Information and Support Line. Participating centres and schools also receive discounts on Bravehearts' child protection eLearning for educators and staff.

The desired program outcomes include:

• Increased resilience and confidence in children
• Early identification of unsafe or concerning situations
• Strengthened school-family partnerships around child safety
• A proactive, educational response to preventing child sexual abuse and other forms of harm

Implementation support

• Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor
• Ongoing helpdesk, email or phone support

Evidence

Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure is informed by Protective Behaviours Framework, Social Learning Theory, Child Development and Age-Appropriate Learning, Ecological Systems Theory, Trauma Informed Practice, Public Health and Prevention Science, the Health Promoting Schools Framework, and the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

The positive impact of the program is supported by improvements found in children's understanding of personal safety behaviours as found in both internal and external evaluations. It is also supported by positive testimonials from participating educators.