How do I teach my 3 year old about hazards?

[thingymaboob]

Hiya,

I have a whirlwind 3 year old who is like a tornado, especially when excited. Developmentally, she's hitting all the milestones and her language is really good. But... she just grabs stuff, still puts objects into her mouth, runs with objects, barges into things. I'm a paramedic and have seen how things can turn bad. I try to talk to her about:

1. don't put anything other than food or drink in your mouth
2. don't run with sharp objects
3. bite into food properly

Etc.

My house is very safe but her grandparents house is like a death trap and they have scissors, knitting needles, various ornaments and unanchored shelves lying around everywhere. I know they think I'm over the top but they don't really know what a whirlwind she has become (been separated due to COVID). Just got visions of her impaling herself on a knitting needle at their house. I obviously have spoken to them about hazards but the eye rolling is getting a bit much. I also want my daughter to be aware of dangers.

Being TOO swear of dangers means wrapping her in cotton wool (metaphorically). That is equally as damaging to her development and this will be where the eye rolling is coming from.

It's about finding a middle ground. Whereby she can take managed risks.

I would eye roll if you had issues with a 3yo around scissors. I'm a teacher and mum of 4 (youngest is 6yo), so it's not like this is an "out if touch GP" issue. It's as much a "Precious First Born Parent" issue.

Make her aware of the issue by facing it and finding a safe way to deal.

● Oh look, Nana has her knitting needles out. How would you carry them if you were bringing them to show me?
● Ohhh scissors. How do we carry scissors safely?
● Grandmas special dog ornament there. It's precious. Let's have a look. Remember it's precious, let's be very gentle when we hold it. Aww isn't it lovely. We have to be very careful near it, it's delicate.
● Feel these agents. Can you feel them wiggling? What would happen if tgey fell off? Ohhhh we have to be careful near Grannys shelves. Let's remember that.

Agents = shelves (autocorrect)

One tip is never say 'Don't...' because whatever you follow it with is the image that stays in their mind. So instead of saying, 'Don't run into the road' (which makes them imagine running into the road) say, 'Stop at the kerb!' Instead of, 'Don't go near the stove,' chalk a line on the kitchen floor and say, 'Play on the safe floor' etc. I was amazed how much this advice helped with DS1 who was also a tornado.