Road safety / Walking safely - book recommendations for a toddler who bolts?

[rubybambini]

We've tried 10s of tricks for our headstrong 2.8 DD to help her stay with us on pavements, in shops etc, then realised that the skills she's learned most quickly / to best effect, have been from very visual books, eg Where's my potty? for toilet training, Bing gets dressed etc etc.

So - just that. Any recommendations to help her understand that we worry she'll get hurt or lost if she runs off?

[YoullNeedATray]

I totally understand your desire to get nice books for her ... but as this is her safety at stake, why not just buy some reins?

[rubybambini]

She has one of those ladybird backpacks with a lead, with which we have occasional success. I'm not really seeking more practical ideas. Stories / characters seem to work well for her, especially when we refer back to them and bring them to life in the real-world situation.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I'd put her in reins too until you can trust her. As for the books, can your library suggest anything? Have you had a look at Topsy & Tim Safety First?

[rubybambini]

Topsy and Tim - that takes me back. Thank you for the suggestion, I'll have a look at it.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I find the staff at our library very useful for stuff like this, they usually have good suggestions. DS went through a Topsy and Tim phase, think they have a book on most subjects affecting a small persons life

[Sunshineonsea]

Whereabouts do you live op?
In Wales they do a scheme for when child turns 2/3 and send you out a load of road safety books to read, I had a letter through
My door about it but you could ask your HV if your county runs a similar scheme

[3littlefrogs]

She is 2.8. You need reins. Children do not develop basic, consistent road sense (as in being able to judge distance, timing on each and every occasion) until they are at least 7 years old. Books are fun and entertaining, but she is too young to retain the information and retrieve it when required.
Toilet training books are a different kettle of fish entirely because they tend to be used at about the time the child is physiologically and psychologically capable of making the connection.

[Sunshineonsea]

Just dug out the books - www.trafficclub.org email [email protected]

[Starballbunny]

I second reins, although my bolter instinctively knew roads were bad, she'd even stop and look at drive ways.

Her younger sister was hopeless, she still needed reminding at 6. She need a horror story, not a gentle reminder.

[rubybambini]

I fifth reins! She's got some, as I mentioned in my second post, with which we have some success.

I'm not looking for books as a substitute to the multiple, sensible, practical measures we already take with her. I'm looking for books to reinforce the messages we give her.

It's been interesting to see how few recommendations there are for this subject matter, although I can't say I'm sure how I'd develop a narrative for it, if I was tasked with it.

I've ordered the Topsy & Tim book, thanks for that idea, and also for www.trafficclub.org - excellent to see they have some content there for three year olds.

[Starballbunny]

trouble with books is they would be aimed at older DCs for use in school safety activities.

We had a brilliant step by step one about going swimming aimed at 2y, but I've never seen a similar book about simply safety rules.

There is certainly a place for a very simple narrative about the importance of holding hands and not running off, using pedestrian crossing and never stepping on to a road until your adult says it's safe.

[BuntyPenfold]

I can be safe. By Pat Thomas.
The website Little Parachutes is great for finding helpful books. They are listed under topics eg illness and taking medicine, fear of dark etc.

[rubybambini]

^ thank you so much for that link, Little Parachutes is a brilliant sounding brand and 'situational' is exactly the word I've been grasping for. Since I posted - touch wood - DD has shown less bolty behaviour. I've been emphasising simple scenes like one in a Lowly Worm book that's about getting lost / holding hands. She's been responding with a lot of talk about staying safe with mummy, staying by the wall, staying on the pavement and being a big girl. Long may this continue.