Essential Safety Games to Play With Preschoolers

Essential Safety Games To Play With Preschoolers
Susie E. Caron 5/6/16*
 
I posted this blog first in *2014, but it’s so important to keep kids safe, that I re-post it at least once each year.

If you have young children play these three games with them until you are sure their responses become automatic. Play each game at least 3 times the first week you introduce them. Then repeat occasionally just to ensure their responses.
 
Introduction:
Children need to play! Did you know that games also benefit their development? 
Playing these 3 games with your young children may also help you keep them safe. 

1. Peek-A-Boo
Everyone enjoys playing Peek-A-Boo with babies because it makes everyone laugh. This also helps to generate your baby's feelings of health and safety, but there are more reasons.
Reasons:
Peek-A-Boo builds your baby's awareness that objects continue to exist in their environment, even when they cannot see them. This includes YOU. This awareness is also the foundation for the next two safety-based games for young children. So go ahead! Play Peek-A-Boo with baby.

2. Quick! Run to Mommy (or Daddy) Game* 
In this game you teach your child to quickly run to you! (Note: see * below for suggested titles to call this game with your child.)
Reasons:
If you make your child's "Run to Mommy" response automatic and the child is rewarded for running fast to you, your child will be more likely to respond quickly, in situations that could be dangerous. For example: You can use this when your child gets out of sight in the grocery store.
How to teach Danger! - Run to Mommy!
I learned this game from a friend. She taught her toddler that when she said certain words,
"Poo Bear",  he was to respond, "Tigger too!" and he would  immediately run to her to be safe. 

As you practice at home, with a toddler, it's best to offer a treat, like stickers, or a small cracker, for running back to you. This makes the game more fun and rewarding for the toddler to play correctly and to run fast!
More Reasons:
Consistently using key words in this game can help keep your child safe. Your child's words help you to  locate him/her. Your child's words also triggers action: running to you quickly.  

*NOTE: If you don't like the words my friend used, you and your child can come up with your own words and responses. Pergaps you could  select words from your child's favorite Twee' book. You could say "Twee' Means" and the child says "You and Me!" and returns to you immediately. [I couldn't help myself.]

3. Automatic - Hide and Go Seek 
In this game you must find your hidden child.
Note: Play this game ONLY AFTER your toddler has a rapid response to Run to Mommy (or Daddy etc.). Then play Automatic - Hide and Go Seek often. 
Reasons  to play:
When children actually become lost, they FREEZE while they LISTEN for you to come and find them.  The result is they don't know to call out to you, even if they hear you searching nearby. You child doesn't realize that you cannot see him all the time.  He also doesn't realize that if you cannot see him, you won't be able to find him unless he calls out to you.
How to teach Automatic - Hide and Go Seek.
Tell you child,  " I can see you most of the time. However, when you hide behind a couch, chair or in another room, I cannot see you.You are very important to me, so I always want to find you. So when I can't easily see you, I will say "Where Are You?" then I want you to call out "Here I am." Practice this in the house at first. Remember to reward your child as soon as you find him/her.

After you've practiced for a few minutes a day, over a few days,  then tell your child, "Now that I know you will say 'Here I am!' to help me find you, I will let you hide longer. Remember when I say "Where are you?"  I want you to yell out nice and loud "Here I am!" 

Play these games with you children to instill some safety skills, for a little peace of mind and always share some fun!

I want to read your thoughts about this post, so  leave me a note below.

Remember Twee' means You and Me,
Playing games with young children for safety.

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