Aim: To provide children with a foundational understanding of traffic and safety.
Objectives:
- Understand what ‘traffic’ is.
- Learn the differences between fast and slow, near and far.
- Emphasise the importance of holding hands with an adult.
- Develop initial looking and listening skills.
Introduction: Teaching road safety to young children is crucial for their safety. Here are some practical activities and tips to help children understand the basics of road safety.
What is Traffic?
Traffic includes all the vehicles that move on the road, such as cars, buses, bicycles, and motorbikes. Help your child understand traffic by discussing the different types of vehicles they see on the road. Reinforce the idea that all these vehicles together make up traffic.
Understanding Fast and Slow
Explain that some vehicles move quickly (fast) and some move slowly. During a walk, point out vehicles moving at different speeds and discuss which ones are fast and which are slow. This helps children differentiate between the two and understand the concept of speed.
Near and Far
Help your child understand the concepts of near and far using vehicles on the road. Point out vehicles that are close by (near) and those that are further away (far). While out, ask your child to identify which vehicles are near and which are far. This activity enhances their spatial awareness.
The Importance of Holding Hands
Explain that holding an adult’s hand while walking near or crossing roads is important for safety. It helps keep children close and away from danger. Practise holding hands while walking near traffic, reinforcing that this is a crucial safety habit.
Looking and Listening Skills
Teach your child to always look both ways before crossing a road and to listen for any approaching vehicles. Practise stopping at the edge of the pavement, looking left, right, and left again, and listening for traffic sounds before crossing. This develops their ability to assess their surroundings.
Recognising Road Signs
Introduce common road signs such as stop signs, pedestrian crossings, and traffic lights. Explain what each sign means and why it’s important. During walks, point out these signs and ask your child to tell you what they mean. This helps them become familiar with road safety symbols.
Safe Places to Cross the Road
Explain the importance of using pedestrian crossings, zebra crossings, and traffic light crossings. These are safe places designed for people to cross the road. Practise using these crossings correctly, waiting for the green man or ensuring all vehicles have stopped before crossing. This reinforces the habit of crossing safely.
Understanding Pavements and Kerbs
Teach your child to always walk on the pavement and to stop at the kerb before crossing the road. During walks, reinforce the habit of stopping at the kerb, looking both ways, and listening for traffic before crossing. This helps them develop good pedestrian habits.
Being Seen and Being Safe
Explain the importance of being visible to drivers, especially in low light conditions. Wearing bright or reflective clothing can help drivers see pedestrians more easily. Encourage your child to wear bright or reflective clothing when out near roads, and explain how this helps keep them safe.