STREET SMARTS FOR KIDS
A GEELONG childcare centre took to the streets this week to implement real-world learning during National Road Safety Week.
Headstart Early Learning
Centre Geelong manager and mum of three Kristy Lowndes said she was focused on implementing consistent and practical road safety education programs after a “lengthy” hiatus due to Covid.
“There hasn’t been a lot of road safety learning happening for two to three years, and we need to get back into it,” Ms Lowndes said.
“I think educating early is key to preventing accidents from happening as children gain more independence.
“That is why we have restarted our regular excursions around the local community post-Covid.”
According to the Australia Road Deaths Database, from 2011-21,
there was a 70 per cent decrease in road-related deaths in children aged one to five.
Teacher Sweety said real-world learning was important to ensure children grasped crucial road safety concepts.
“The children can tell me in the classroom that red means stop, but until we are standing at a set of lights and there are distractions, it’s hard to know if they have fully comprehended,” Sweety said.