Simple Safety Signs to Teach Non-Reading Children

Pictures and colors can identify signs.

Teaching children to identify signs that help to keep them safe is especially important when they cannot yet read. Some warning and safety signs are easy to recognize because of their color or shape; others are identifiable by the picture. By showing different safety signs and explaining their meanings to children, you are empowering them to keep safe and to better understand their surroundings.

Street Signs

A stop sign is recognizable to young children.

When walking on the street with a child, bring her to an intersection and show the different signs on the four corners. Point out the flashing or solid red hand across the crosswalk and tell her it means do not walk. Enlighten a child about colors on a street light: stop with red, slow down with yellow and go on green. Find a stop sign and explain that a red sign with white letters and eight sides means to stop.

Not Acceptable

Pay attention to signs with people.

If a child is enjoying a public pool, for example, teach him to read the safety signs around the pool. A no-running sign is a person swiftly running with a line through it. If an area is slippery, the sign will generally be yellow with a person slipping or looking as if he has lost balance. When diving is not allowed, children should recognize the sign of a person diving into water with bolts emphasizing a hurt head.

Harmful Material

A skull and crossbones means danger.

Poisons and cleaning solutions should be kept out of reach of children at all times. Some harmful substances have a skull and crossbones on the package, and children should be taught that means dangerous. Explain to a child that he will be seriously injured if he ingests the item or plays with it, because it is toxic. Symbols on electrical objects are usually a triangle with a lightning bolt, which means to stay away because of electric shock hazards.

Circle With Line

Explain that a line means a person cannot do the activity.

Identifying what a child should not do is easy whenever a circle is present with a line running through the picture. Show a child the no eating and drinking signs, for example, which are typically a cup and food, or a fork and a knife, with a line crossing it out. An area where a child should not ride his bike will show a bike crossed out.

Helpful Signs

Identify the "X" and a person walking.

Children should also know that blue signs show information and help. A hospital or telephone sign, for example, means a hospital or telephone is nearby. Restroom signs are typically blue and have either a man, a woman or both on the sign. If a child needs to leave someplace quickly, she should know that an exit sign is usually red or green and might show a person walking. Teach the child to recognize the "X" in an exit sign.

References

• SafeNY: Traffic Sign Quiz for Kids
• Road Traffic Signs: No Bicycles Allowed Signs
• HP: Electrical and Mechanical Safety Information - Symbols on Equipment
• iStockphoto: No Eating, Drinking & Smoking Signs