Since its return, your child has announced that he wanted “go on foot“. A desire for autonomy that made you proud … But also worried. How to make the school journey safer? Here are 5 practical tips to reassure you and make your child more independent.
On the way to the school on foot: 5 tips for a safe trip
If the journey of the school is a privileged moment to transmit the right gestures to its children (cross when pedestrian fire goes green, not to walk on the road …) when it comes to trusting your child, the atmosphere is quite different. Admittedly, he seems to have assimilated these “bases”. But will he redouble care and attention if you let him go to school independently?
In reality, if nothing is won in advance, little things can make the difference. Here are 5 tips issued by the government.
- Before leaving him alone, make several journeys with him so that he familiarizes himself with the path (this repetition makes it possible to memorize the journey and to identify the points where he must redouble vigilance);
- Show him places that can constitute dangers (parking or garages, pedestrian passages, etc.);
- Learn to cross properly: use the pedestrian crossing by showing it how to look on each side and without running;
- Encourage your child to pay attention to noise and his environment, especially when crossing;
- Make your visible child when it is dark using retro-reflective strips on its clothes and the satchel.
Good to know: A “pedestrian license” can be won by your child from CE2, so that he learns to circulate alone and safely.
Congress your child and reward their progress
Once these good habits are taken, congratulate it, even “Opt for the reward system“Offers Didier Pleux, doctor of development psychology.
Because this journey properly made – and without taking risks – is a big step for him, in the same way as to properly store his room, do his homework alone, go to bed early (while the rest of the family sets late …). So support him in this approach, trust him and be proud of him.
You will thus help to strengthen his autonomy and his confidence in him (precious skills that will serve him far beyond the school road), while remaining serene.