Teach Children to Be Safe Before They Begin School

Parents can teach their children safe behaviors before enrolling them in school. Children who know the appropriate action to take in a given situation are less likely to expose themselves to danger. Following are safe behaviors to teach your child, according to the U.S. Department of Education:

* Not talking to strangers. This warning is more important today than ever before.

* Encourage your children to get to know school staff other than their teachers, and get acquainted with them yourself. Familiarity helps children recognize adults who don’t belong as well as adults who can offer help when needed. As a plus, children will also learn that the school staff are their friends and more than just rule enforcers.

* Taking safety in numbers. Encourage your children to stay close to friends and to walk in groups in school hallways. Suggest that they limit their restroom visits to recess and breaks and use facilities located in high-traffic areas or in areas likely to be visited by staff.

* Choosing friends carefully. Encourage your children to avoid students who do not handle anger effectively. Ask your children to be particularly careful with classmates who bring weapons to school and to report any such incidents to their teachers.

How Can I Help Ensure Safety at My Child’s School?

* Visit frequently, being sure to register with administrative personnel when you arrive.

* Volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or elsewhere in the school as often as you can and encourage other parents to visit and volunteer. The more parents are involved and visible, the safer their children’s schools will be.

* Become a member of the school’s Parent-Teacher Assn. (PTA) or other parent-teacher organization. By attending meetings and participating in its committees and activities, you’ll become acquainted with other parents and with school personnel.

* Get to know your child’s friends and their families. Productive friendships and a sense of common purpose among students, teachers and neighbors make schools and neighborhoods safer.

Source: U.S. Department of Education