Pedestrian Safety Table of Contents
Getting
Started
Teaching Responsibilities:
• To guide children and youth through enjoyable hands-on learning activities
• To create a positive learning environment
• To provide positive feedback to the children and youth participants to help them learn and grow
• To complete Passports after every session for all participants in order to inform them:
what they know (K), what they can do (D), and what they value (V).
Building a sense of community and trust between the teachers and participants is an important aspect of Making Tracks. Session A focuses on creating a sense of community within the large crew and includes questions to discover how much each participant knows about walking as a form of transportation. Parents and Caregivers teaching one child or smaller community sessions can omit this section.
Activity 1: Handshake Tag
Activity 2: Mingle, Mingle, Mingle
Activity 3: Chicken Tag
Activity 4: Bumper to Bumper
Ensuring that all people are safe when moving to and from places is a central component of the Making Tracks: Pedestrian Safety program. Session B allows children and youth to learn how to move about safely by dressing appropriately for different weather (sun, rain, snow) and different environmental conditions (traffic, lighting, animal sightings, etc.).
Activity 5: What Should I Wear?
Activity 6: Life in the Fast Lane
Moving about in a city or in a rural area requires children and youth to understand and be able to follow the rules of the road. Session C gives participants an understanding of traffic light safety, crosswalk safety, and safety on different terrains (asphalt versus gravel roads).
Activity 7: Red Light, Green Light
Activity 8: How Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Activity 9: Be Aware, Be Smart, Be Safe on a Walk (Rural & Urban)
Choosing a Travel Buddy and a Route
Selecting an appropriate walking partner and route allows children and youth to have a better walking experience. Session D teaches the participants how to move about safely and properly in an outdoor environment. This experience brings all participants outdoors and they can practice moving about in “real life.” By learning how to choose proper walking buddies, knowing about the outdoor environment, and understanding signs or visual cues as they go, participants will understand the important points of this session.
Activity 10: How to Choose a Travel Buddy
Activity 11: Buddy Tag & Getting Up to Speed
Activity 12: Imagine That
Activity 13: Signs, Signs, Everywhere
Activity 14: I Spy
Keeping children and youth safe from traffic and environmental dangers is not the only concern for safe, active transportation. Children and youth need to feel safe in their communities when traveling to and from school. Session E focuses on teaching children and youth what to do if a stranger approaches them and how to avoid danger and bullies.
Activity 15: Safe or Not Safe
Activity 16: Spot the Stranger
Activity 17: RCMP or Local Police Visit (optional)
Living in an ever-changing world means that our walking environment can change daily. Session F explores possible hazards participants may encounter while out and provides them with suggestions for how to be safe. In addition it is important that participants in this program gain a respect for the environment and this session asks them to consider ways that they can protect it.