Essential Safety Rules for Crowded Places

The Basics: Before heading out to a crowded location like a fair, zoo, or shopping mall, set some clear, simple safety rules. Use straightforward language that your child can easily understand and remember. Here are some foundational rules to teach your child:

• Stay Close: Explain the importance of staying within sight and holding hands when walking in busy places.
• Identify Helpers: Teach your child to identify safe adults to ask for help if they get lost (e.g., mothers with children, staff in uniform, police officers).
• Stay Still: If they realize they’re lost, they should stay where they are rather than wandering further away.
• Use Loud Voices: Encourage them to call out your name loudly and repeatedly if they can’t see you.

Practice at Home:

• Role-play scenarios at home where your child has to find you after becoming “lost” in a pretend busy place. Practice staying calm and using their loud voice to call out for help. For a full instruction check out our Role-Playing “Lost and Found” activity. 

Teaching Children to Memorize a Parent’s Phone Number

Why It’s Important: In the event of separation, knowing a parent’s phone number can be a crucial lifeline. While it might seem like a challenge for young children, with consistent practice and some creative methods, they can learn this important piece of information.

Tips for Teaching:

• Sing It: Turn your phone number into a catchy song or rhyme. This can make it easier for your child to remember.
• Visual Aids: Write your phone number on a piece of paper and use visuals, like drawing pictures of a phone, to associate with each digit.
• Repetition: Incorporate your phone number into daily routines. For example, recite it together each morning or while driving in the car.
• Incentives: Create a reward system for remembering the number, such as a sticker chart that leads to a small prize.

For a full list of activities and instructions check out our Phone Number Memorization Games

Emergency Contact Cards:

• Consider making a small laminated card with your contact details that your child can carry in their pocket. Teach them to show this card to a trusted adult if they’re lost.

Reinforcement:

• Use stories and books like Landon Gets Lost that depict characters getting lost and finding their way back to reinforce these lessons in a context they can relate to.

Safety Checklist for Parents

Preparation is Key: Having a plan and checklist can help ensure that you and your child are prepared for outings in busy places. Download and print this safety checklist to review before your next trip:

Safety Checklist:

• Review Safety Rules: Remind your child of the key safety rules (stay close, identify helpers, stay still, use loud voices).
• Emergency Contact Card: Ensure your child has their emergency contact card.
• Phone Number Practice: Go over your phone number one more time.
• Visual Identification: Dress your child in bright, recognizable clothing.
• Meeting Spot: Agree on a designated meeting spot if you get separated.
• Discuss Expectations: Talk about what to expect at the location and how to stay safe.

Teaching young children safety skills for busy places might seem daunting, but with a combination of clear rules, memorable practices, and engaging activities, you can equip your child with the confidence and knowledge they need. By preparing for the unexpected, you turn potential moments of panic into opportunities for your child to demonstrate independence and bravery, just like Landon did at the fair. Remember, these lessons are not just for big outings—they’re skills that your child will carry with them for a lifetime.