Teaching to defend themselves?

My son is 2.5 and is generally a very good boy. He does what he is told and follows most rules (of course he has his moments). But when we are out with other kids he lets these kids hit him or push him or attack him and just cries and doesn't do anything to defend himself. How do I teach him to defend himself?

I'm not saying knock the other kids out or anything, but at least yell at them to stop, or tell them no, or push them away?

I don't want him to go around and hit and push kids but I do want him to be able to defend himself.

Message edited 10/24/2016 11:18:06 AM.

Teaching to defend themselves?

I teach dd to say things like 'Don't push me. I don't like that'. I also encourage her to ask a grown up for help.

Teaching to defend themselves?

s i tell dd to tell them do not push, hit etc in a big voice. i also tell them to not play with kids who are not nice to her. i tell them to find someone else. its a hard thing to teach and see

Teaching to defend themselves?

I tell dd to defend herself. I tell her to tell someone with her strong voice 'do not touch me' or "you cant talk to me like that"... I let her know that no one is allowed to do anything to her that she doesn't like. No one should ever hit her or snatch things from her.

BUT

I also role play with her. I use her dolls and we pretend one doll is picking on another and allow her to use the doll to defend herself. I do it in the course of playing not just out of nowhere.

And we would practice over dinner. What would you do if someone did this to you?