Lower Elementary
By now you hope they
have some personal safety skills ingrained in them, and not too many
stitches. Education and supervision of more complex tasks are
increasingly important. They should be in a booster seat, and should be
reminding you to buckle your seat belt. They will call you on safety
violations; now is not the time to tell them it's OK for you to violate a
safety rule but not them. They watch you like a hawk and will model your
behavior. Choose wisely what you demonstrate to them, and how you do it.
This age child may do something unsafe out of
ignorance, but is not known as "risk taking behavior".
- Watch them around
power equipment and household appliances.
- Teach them respect for
electricity, flammables and poisons.
- Demonstrate good
safety equipment use and precautions in the yard, shed, and garage as well as
indoors.
- Give them measured
responsibility for small jobs, and cleaning up afterward.
This page was authored by Dr. James C.
Montgomery MD FAAP.