Creating a Safety Plan for the New Year

Foundation for Early Learning is delighted to feature a guest article from Kim Estes of P.E.A.C.E of Mind Washington. If you are interested in being featured in the Foundation's blog, please contact Joel Ballezza, Communications Manager at joel@earlylearning.org.

A new year approaches. It is historically a time of organizing and planning ahead.  The time is also perfect for putting into action, a simple safety plan for your family.  It is easier than you think!

What’s important

Create a list of the important concerns you have for your family. Consider both current concerns (My child is not good about checking in with a safe grown up) and also future concerns (my child will be taking the school bus in the fall).  Begin addressing the current concerns and start a plan of action for future concerns. Start planning and practicing how you want to approach them with your child.  Our motto is “Be prepared, not scared” and never use scare tactics when talking about safety with your child.

New habits

If you have not started talking to your child about safety on a regular basis, now is the time to start. Make reminders on your calendar if you need to. Help get yourself into a new habit of safety. Take time to “de-brief” with your family. Share the “favorite part / least favorite part” of your day. You can do this at dinner time, bed time or in the car. Just find time.  This will help to create a place for your child to be able to comfortably talk to you about what is happening in their day (and sharing your day too)!  Kids don’t necessarily bring their problems to you in a nice tidy package. It can takes months or weeks to divulge little bits and pieces to you, especially if something is bothering them. Often testing to see how you will react.

Who’s Who?

Review the safety rules your family already has in place. If you have school age children, talk to them about who the “approved” grown ups are to pick them up from school. For younger kids, practice cell phone numbers and who they can turn to if they need help (safe mom –or dad) with kids.

Make safety a part of your new year and remember to make it fun too. Books are a great way to talk about safety with your child. We have great age appropriate book recommendations on safety. Just go to our website to find out more about our great books, tips and conversation starters to get you on your way to creating a safety plan in the new year!

For more information on safety, please visit http://pomwa.org/