Children from birth to five years of age are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is recognised as a separate stage of learning, laying the foundations for when children begin more formal education.
Parents, carers and pre-school practitioners are in a unique position to begin teaching children about basic road safety skills before they begin full-time education. At this early stage in their development, children see adults as role models, especially when they see them doing something different, so it’s the ideal time to form good habits.
The emphasis should be on learning through active play. Teaching road safety is an active, fun and stimulating thing to do - children can be taught key words, helping their communication and language skills, and their understanding of concepts such as hard and soft, fast and slow, near and far and safe and dangerous.
The law says that children under 12 years must be seated in a suitable child safety seat or booster cushion when travelling in a car, unless they are 135cm tall or over. Children 135cms in height or over must wear the adult seatbelt. For more information see links.
Use the links on this page for information, resources, activities and ideas, or contact the Road Safety Unit:
Tel 0113 2475198
email road.safety@leeds.gov.uk
Road Safety Matters Early Years Parents Book
Early Years Road Safety Education Guide
Mr Lumpy’s Journey – Story to promote child safety seats
Child Car Seat Information
