How to Teach Children How to Use the Crosswalk

Teach children how to safely cross the street and continually reinforce the rules.

Since young children don't drive and therefore don't know the rules of the road, crossing the street becomes a hazardous task if not accompanied by instructions they can understand. Children sometimes act impulsively and may run out in the street to chase a ball, or they may assume that if they see a car, the driver will see them. Teach children to be cautious, patient and aware when they are crossing the street. "Look both ways" is not a worn-out saying: it's a truth that may just save their lives.

Instructions

Crossing at a Stop Sign

1. 

   Tell your child to always stay within the lines.

   Walk your child to a crosswalk to show her how it is painted in the street. To cross, she must walk within the lines.

2. Teach her that people in a crosswalk always have the right of way, but never assume every driver will stop.

3. 

   Reinforce the meaning of a stop sign by drawing and coloring one when you get home.

   Take her to a corner that has a stop sign. Explain how drivers must stop when they see one. When you get home, draw a stop sign and have her color it red to reinforce the memory.

4. Show her that pedestrians must stop when they get to the end of the curb. This is the time to look for stop signs and cars.

5. Explain how pedestrians must also stop if they walk up to a stop sign. The cars coming in the other direction don't have to stop. Ask her what would happen if she didn't stop.

6. Look at the driver to make sure he sees you, while you wait at the stop sign before crossing the street.

7. Allow the driver to turn if he has his blinker on, especially if you have not made eye contact.

8. Look both ways when it is safe to cross. Demonstrate an exaggerated motion when moving your head from side to side so she understands.

9. Walk in the crosswalk to cross the street, continuing to look both ways. Don't ever run in the crosswalk.

10. 

    A crosswalk with a crossing guard if always the safest place to cross.

    Tell your child to always use a crosswalk with a crossing guard if there is one.

Crossing at a Signal

1. Take the child to a corner that has a signal.

2. Explain how drivers must stop when they get to a red light. A red light is the same as a stop sign. Show him the green light and the cars that are moving on a green light.

3. 

   Explain the meaning of the button and the arrows.

   Let him push the pedestrian button if there is one at the signal. Explain how the buttons work.

4. 

   The white pedestrian symbol means it is safe to cross.

   Show him the walk screen and the white pedestrian image in the screen. If you are at a signal with numbers that count down, explain that he has that many seconds to cross. When you are crossing the street, count down the numbers with the signal so he gets an idea of how long it takes.

5. Demonstrate looking at cars before crossing, even if you have a sign that says "Walk." Never assume that a driver will see you.

6. 

   If you are already in the intersection when you see the red, continue walking.

   Continue to walk across the street if you are in the middle and the sign starts blinking with a red hand or a "Don't Walk" message. Explain that those symbols are for pedestrians on the corner who haven't started to cross yet.

Tips & Warnings

• If your children are going to walk to school by themselves, map the safest routes and walk it several times with them to make certain they feel safe doing it on their own. Talk to your child at home before you get to the street. When you are at a corner, explain the rules again until they understand. There is no rush to walk across the street.

• Never begin crossing the street if the "Don't Walk" sign is already lit.

References

• Mount Nittany Medical Center: Teaching Children Pedestrian Safety
• My Child Safety: School Traffic Safety

Resources

• AAA Oklahoma: How I Cross a Street