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Story books or other tips to teach a two year old about road safety please!

9 replies

alittleteapot · 28/10/2009 16:54

I've just had a new baby and keeping my toddler safe has become a lot harder. Any tips to fast track her understanding that running away and roads are absolute NOs!

(Feeling slightly shaky after earlier incident. All well but need her to understand!)

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TrinityHasAVampireRhino · 28/10/2009 16:56

hold her hand
reins
wrist strap
buggy

too young to be reliable imo

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alittleteapot · 28/10/2009 17:04

today i was in a cafe holding baby - she ran out into (quiet dead end) road. will try and only go to self contained places but this was a child friendly cafe - just took eye off ball for second...

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TrinityHasAVampireRhino · 28/10/2009 17:08

if the door is open she needs to be strapped into highchair or buggy imo

I've done the new baby and two year old thing

my advice is never leave it to chance

they have almost no sense of danger and you have two to tend to

just strap her in everywhere

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nellie12 · 28/10/2009 17:13

Develop eyes in the back of your head!

Think you just have to get used to making sure she is permanently attached to you or watched. Apparently they dont start to develop any sense of danger till they are at least 3. Ds2 has only just found a sense of (some) self preservation at 4yo.

It does get easier with practice, you just have to accept people will think you are a harassed loon for the next few years.

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sdr · 28/10/2009 17:49

Whenever we need to hold hands to be safe (crossing road, carpark, busy mall), we say "safe hands". Was taught this with my youngest DD at playgym. When they hear it after a while they automatically hold your hand. Then when it's safe I say "we can let go now". Know it sounds a bit bizarre but works. Have used with all kids from 1-2 years old (oldest now 15 and youngest is 4).

That and a firm grip and have found reins great.

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sdr · 28/10/2009 17:51

Forgot to add - a great way of embarrassing teens when you're out with them and about to cross the road

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Cockavita · 28/10/2009 17:51

I don't think you can teach a 2year old about road safety, they are too young to take all the info in and remember.

Reins/buggy/hold hand tightly.

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purepurple · 28/10/2009 18:24

2 is too young for a book about road safety.
the only way is to do it.
Like evryone else says, hold hands, explaining why you have to
I used to do the same as sdr with my two.
It was really sweet when I found out that DS(20) only stopped doing it recently with DD(13)

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alittleteapot · 28/10/2009 21:41

sdr I think your "safe hands" thing sounds good and the kind of ritual dd would buy into. Will try it!

I'm surprised so many of you think she's too young for a book on this. I think if there was a good one it would be a really helpful start to her understanding the dangers better. Obviously I'm not expecting her to police her own safety, any more than I would leave her in charge of a kettle although she is very good about understanding that "hot" is out of bounds and ouchy. But I definitely think she's got the comprehension to begin to understand.

There's no way in a million years we could get through a day out with dd wrist-strapped/reins/buckled in to highchairs all the time. So it's just a case of growing the eyes in the back of my head then