A. When I go out shopping with my three year old girl, she won’t stay by my side and can go running off on the road. I am really worried about the danger and when I run after her to get her back she laughs and thinks it is all a game. She kicks up a real fuss if I try and keep her in the buggy. What can I do to keep her safe
Q. In order to help your daughter learn road safety, it is important to take to take time to prepare her for a shopping trip and to explain the rules. A good way to do this in a way that a small child understands is to read with her a child’s picture book that shows road safety. If you can’t find a book in the library you could make your own set of pictures (e.g. a child making a trip and holding Mummy’ hand and being very careful crossing the road). To help your child get used to walking safely by your side it is can be a good idea to plan a special reward at the end of the trip (e.g. if she walks safely by your side on the roads, she can get a small treat in the shop.)
As well as explaining the safety rules to your daughter you need to also think through a consequence if she breaks the rules and runs away. For example, if she runs then she must hold your hand or the bar of the buggy. And if she wont’ hold your hand then she must sit in the buggy for the duration of the journey. Be prepared to enforce these consequences calmly and firmly. For example, if she runs, give her a warning ‘ stop, now and wait for Mummy’. If she continues to go away be prepared to after and her and take her firmly and gently back to the buggy explaining what is happening. ‘you have run away when Mummy told you to stop so now you have to hold Mummy’s hand’. Ignore her protests and when she is calm you can give her another chance ‘Ok I can let you hand go now, but you must walk by Mummy’s side’
The long term aim is to help you daughter take responsibility and to learn how to keep safe on the road. Giving choices and enforcing clear consequences is a good way to do this.