Teaching Children To Be Road Conscious

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By Pauline Griggs

familywalk2Keeping your children safe all the time is not an easy task. You can’t be with them every minute of the day, and everywhere they go. As a parent, you can ensure the safety of your children when they’re at home. And you’re assured that when they’re at school, their teachers are responsible for taking care of them. But when they’re outside, who will keep them safe? Even if your children are old enough to take care of themselves, you should teach them how to stay safe while on the road. Follow these key tips on teaching your children to be more road conscious.

Accompany your children.

No matter how independent you think your children are, you need to guide them while they’re still developing. Walk or ride with them, until they’re old enough and are ready to do things on their own.

Put away any distraction.

When you’re driving or walking on the road, you shouldn’t use your mobile devices, so your children will follow your example. While on or near the road, take away the video games, headphones, and toys, to instill to them the significance of paying attention.

Choose low-speed roads where there’s less traffic.

If you want to make your children learn faster, use the least intimidating roads. They’ll be able to understand you when the environment is calmer and safer. Use residential streets and community roads when walking with them.

Wear colorful clothing.

When the surrounding is dark, it’s no doubt that the road is a scarier place. Make your children wear bright clothing, so they’ll be easily seen at night. Tell them that it’s more essential for them to follow traffic rules at night.

Explain street signs as much as you can.

Consistently point out street signs and explain their meanings to your children. Make it fun by asking them what each means and rewarding them for every question they’ll answer correctly. Regular reminders and rewards will help them remember it quickly.

Teach your children to stop and look both ways at all roads.

Teach your children that the road is not a playground; explain the danger of being on the road. Tell them to stop, look left and right and wait for the road to become clear before crossing the street.

Walk with your children facing the traffic when there’s no sidewalk.

Teach them that they should be able to see the incoming danger, and react to it. Tell them to keep their eyes on vehicles, and they can only do it when facing the traffic.

Walk on the side of the road when there’s no sidewalk.

Tell your kids that if they can’t see any sidewalk, they must go away from the road as soon as possible. Teach them that the safest way to avoid getting hit by a vehicle is by distancing themselves from the road.

Teach your children awareness of obstacles.

Driveways, alleys and street corners are particularly dangerous spots, even for adults like you. Remind your children that drivers can’t easily see in these blind places, and they need to be extra careful and be ready to respond quickly. Be sure that your children are also aware of ditches or flooded areas that may cause a slip and fall accident.

Keep your instructions short, precise and fun.

If you want to make your children remember everything that you’ve taught them about road consciousness, avoid giving long lectures. Make your time with them fun and turn your lessons into games. Making it fun will not only make them learn faster but will also make the time enjoyable for you and your children.

Teach by example.

familybikeridetogetherDo you know the expression, “Monkey see, monkey do?” The same principle applies when you’re teaching children, you need to teach them by being an example. Not following road safety will only show them that it’s okay to break road rules. If you want them to be road conscious, you should be road conscious as well.

Learn when to let them go.

Your children won’t always be kids; one of these days they’ll grow up and won’t need you as much as they needed you before. When this time comes, you should learn to let go. But always be ready to help and guide them when necessary.

Children tend to copy what they see in adults. This is why, you, as an adult, should be an excellent example to your children. Practice road safety in front of your children so that they will learn and grow. By being a good example, you’re ensuring the safety of your children outside of their school and your home. Make your children cautious, not scared, when on the road. Hopefully, whatever you’ll be telling them will help keep them safe.

– Pauline Griggs is an experienced law and automotive writer currently writing on another large project. Her know-how on the law for more than 10 years has allowed her to insert nuggets of useful wisdom for her readers. Pauline is not just a lawyer, she is also an artist. She loves painting nature when she has free time.