Staying safe: 7 activities to practice together

Lay a scarf or a strip of tape on the floor as a curb. Walk toward it together and ask, "What do we do at the curb?"

Your child stops before the line without being told and reaches for your hand.

Ask, "Who do you hold hands with when we cross the street?"

Listen for a grown-up: you, another family adult or a teacher. Not a brother, sister or friend their own age.

Name things one at a time: ball, medicine, book, outlet, crayon, cleaning spray. After each, ask, "Can you touch it, or is it for grown-ups only?"

Ball, book and crayon are for touching. Medicine, outlet and cleaning spray are for grown-ups only.

Ask, "If you find a bottle of pills on the table, what do you do?"

Your child says they leave it and tell a grown-up. Listen for "don't touch" or "tell Mom or Dad".

Walk to the kitchen and ask, "Where do you stand when the stove or oven is on?"

Your child points to a spot well back from the stove, or says they stay away while it is hot.

Ask, "What is your name? And what is my name?" Practice until both come out clearly.

Your child says their first and last name, and your first name rather than just "Mommy" or "Daddy".

Use toys to act out a store: one toy is the lost child, one is a worker at the checkout. Ask, "The little one can't see their dad. What should they do?"

Your child has the toy stand still, then go to the worker and say, "I'm lost. My name is…". Check that the toy does not walk off with anyone.