Teaching your child to cross the road is far from a one-and-done thing. As with all those big life lessons you teach to your kids, it’s a gradual process. So, if your child is about to make the milestone first walk to school, taking the time to really explain and demonstrate road safety for kids is essential. Here’s how to get started.
Teaching Kids Road Safety for Walking to School
Point out road safety rules in a natural way
Before you get into the official road safety rules, get your child familiar with the road and the dangers they might find there. The next time you head out for a walk together, try asking them about road safety facts, for example:
- We’ve stopped, do you know why?
- What’s this? (gesturing to the kerb, pavement, or zebra crossing)
- Do you know what the red light means?
- Can you tell me what a crossing guard/lollipop man/woman does?
- Do you think it’s safe to cross now?
Use the Green Cross Code
This code has been teaching road safety for kids, UK-wide since the 1970s! It uses six easy steps that kids can follow to be safe:
1. THINK! Find the safest place to cross
Make sure your child understands what’s meant by ‘safe place’, for example:
- A zebra crossing
- A traffic island
- A pelican crossing
- Not from behind a car or bus
- Not from a bend in the road where drivers might not see them
2. STOP! Stand on the pavement near the kerb
Check that your child understands that this doesn’t mean right on the edge of the kerb, and the ‘stop’ aspect, too. Even if a road is empty, they should get in the habit of always stopping at the side of the road, no matter what.
3. USE YOUR EYES AND EARS Look and listen for traffic all around
Remember, kids can’t always see as far or check as well as an adult, so teach them to look, look, and look again. Remember, some vehicles like bicycles and electric cars might not make much noise so it’s extra important to check for those.
4. WAIT UNTIL IT’S SAFE TO CROSS If traffic is coming, wait for it to pass
If a car is coming, make sure your child knows not to cross, it’s important that they know not to take the risk, even if they think they could run across in time.
5. LOOK AND LISTEN When it’s safe, cross the road in a straight line
Once any traffic has passed, remind your child to check again for any other cars. When it’s safe, cross in a straight line, not diagonally, and don’t rush.
6. ARRIVE And keep looking and listening while you cross
Teach your child that no matter how careful they are, sometimes cars don’t follow the rules as well as they do, so it’s super important to keep looking and checking for traffic.
Practice together
Teaching your child to cross the road safely is something you should always teach by example. So, when it comes to learning road safety rules for the first time, make sure you’re doing it together. Start with short and familiar routes like walking to the shops. As they grow in confidence, ask them to lead the way, or entrust them with an older sibling, relative, or close friend to take on their first semi-solo trip ahead of walking to school alone for the first time.
Remove distractions
Kids get distracted, fact. Set a rule of no phones, no headphones, and no toys while walking (and that goes for adults setting an example, too!) so they can give road safety rules their full attention.
Keep them seen
You can make this a fun task by letting your child choose their own road safety accessories on your next shop like keyrings for their school bags made with light-reflecting material — it’s a great opportunity for them to use their Rooster Card, too.
Card for ages 6-17. £1.99/mo or £19.99/yr. Criteria and T&Cs apply. Other fees may apply.
Don’t rush
Just like crossing the road, you shouldn’t rush learning road safety. Make sure your child understands that this is an important life skill and don’t create a sense of pressure or compare your child’s progress to others.
Preparing for the school run? Head to our Back to School Hub for handy advice, including more tips on road safety for kids.