Kids and Traffic

Students

We are delighted that you are interested in learning more about keeping young children safe in the road traffic environment.

To help you define the issues you want to cover in your assignment, you may find it helpful to:

explore our website www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au to see the ways in which our Program supports children’s services throughout NSW;
visit your university or TAFE library which should hold our Kids and Traffic road safety education resources and materials as well as the ‘Regulations and Licensing Guidelines for Centre-Based Child Care Services’, produced by the Department of Community Services;
visit one or more local children’s services – these can include long day care centres, preschools, family day care schemes, occasional care centres, and mobile services – and talk with staff about the way they keep young children safe at arrivals, departures and on excursions, how they work in partnership with families to keep young children safe and how they use our Kids and Traffic resources with their children and families;
consider the developmental changes in young children in their early years and the implications of these for families and caregivers. The importance of close and active supervision of young children and the need for adults to be responsible for the safety of their young children cannot be overstated;
consider the road safety issues for children and families in your local area. How easy/difficult is it for families to get around your community as pedestrians? Consider footpaths, stroller/wheelchair ramps, road crossings, driveways, car parks and any other places where vehicles may go. What challenges do families with young children face as they come and go from local services such as preschools, schools, early childhood centres, play areas, etc? Consider various modes of transport such as by foot, by car, by public transport;
consider the ways that communities can support families in helping to keep their young children safe both on and off road, including play areas, driveways and car parks;
talk to families with young children about the risks their children face as pedestrians, passengers and at play and about the strategies they use to keep their children safe at home and when out and about;
talk to your lecturers about inviting us to present road safety education workshops to their tertiary students relevant to the areas of play, curriculum, management, health and guided practicum.

These suggestions should assist you in understanding the risks facing young children in the road traffic environment and should further your aim of producing a thoughtful and comprehensive assignment.

Wishing you well in your studies

Maureen Fegan
Director
Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program