Children of Anklam, Germany, in readiness, set for a journey on the road
Kindergarten in Anklam Introduces Traffic Safety with Playful Approach
In a bid to educate children about traffic rules in a fun and engaging way, Kita Regenbogen in Anklam recently held a traffic week. The youngest children, including those on tricycles, participated enthusiastically, bringing lots of momentum to the event.
The kindergarten management expressed their delight at this new opportunity, particularly as it provided the children with the chance to wear bicycle helmets, a practical gift given to them as part of the "Smart Heads Wear Helmets" action. The bicycle helmets, donated by the parents' council of Vorpommern-Greifswald, will now be used daily in the kindergarten.
The traffic safety association Usedom-Peene set up an obstacle course for the children, where they could practice their balance and maneuverability on balance bikes and scooters. The children were also given the opportunity to showcase their reactions, balance, and knowledge of traffic signs in the parkour.
The traffic week aimed to sensitize children early to the dangers of road traffic and teach them how to move safely. The children were introduced to the "See, Hear, Stand - Then Go!" traffic education initiative, a program designed to instill important safety habits for crossing streets. This initiative emphasizes the four key steps children should take before crossing:
- See — Look carefully for traffic.
- Hear — Listen for oncoming vehicles.
- Stand — Pause and make sure it's safe.
- Then Go! — Cross only when it is safe.
This initiative, which has already been implemented in Norway, aims to improve children's awareness and caution around traffic, helping reduce accidents involving child pedestrians.
Moreover, safety is now emphasized not only on the road but also in the kindergarten yard. The Anklam roller skating rink was another location where the practice of traffic rules took place. The management of Kita Regenbogen underscored the importance of mutual consideration, overtaking, turning, and waiting during the traffic week.
This innovative approach to traffic education is a positive step towards ensuring the safety of children in Anklam, instilling in them the importance of traffic rules from an early age.
In the spirit of continuing safety education, Kita Regenbogen might consider introducing a session focused on home-and-garden safety for young learners, explaining potential hazards within their living environment and promoting safe practices at home. To further reinforce the importance of safety in their lifestyle, the kindergarten could arrange excursions or workshops centered on home-and-garden safety, demonstrating essential skills for a secure and accident-free lifestyle, extending beyond road traffic to encompass a more comprehensive and holistic approach to safety education.
