Many children spend their mornings and afternoons unsupervised as they travel from home to school and back again. Bullies and other predators can pose a threat to the safety of a child who is waiting for the bus or walking with just one or two other children, which is why parents need to make sure their children are physically prepared for their new-found independence.
In addition to pencils, pens, paper, and a backpack, parents also need to make sure they have taught their children basic self-defense and safety skills that could save their life if they are ever attacked. These unsupervised hours pose unique dangers for different age groups. Here is a list of tips on what parents need to be teaching their kids now to make sure they stay safe throughout the school year:
Grades one to five
Lack of proper supervision is rare for this group of students, except for very short periods of time. Children of this age are most commonly left alone during a short walk to and from school. Here are a few practical tips to ensure that this time is as safe as possible:
• Always walk with a buddy who lives very close.
• Be sure to go straight to school or home. No detours or goofing around.
• If a stranger says “hello,” the child can smile, make eye contact, waive, and say “hello” back, but should always keep walking toward either school or home — no matter what.
Grades six to 10
Lack of supervision is relatively common in this group. At this age, children take on more responsibility and are less susceptible to the dangers faced by younger children. However, the dangers that these older children encounter are more commonly imposed by friends and acquaintances. These peer pressure-based dangers are experienced by every child in this age group. But the risk can be mitigated by ensuring that your child’s time and attention is occupied during these key hours. Here are a couple of practical tips for this age group:
• Get your child involved in after-school activities that he or she genuinely enjoys.
• Schedule time after school for your child to complete chores or homework. Ensure that you hold him or her to that expectation when you come home from work.
Communication is key
Make sure your children understand that there is no such thing as communicating too much. By letting them know that you expect regular updates, you will feel better leaving them unattended. Before leaving them for the first time, set these expectations. Let your kids know what you expect — whether it be staying inside while you are gone or coming straight home after school.
Here are a few more tips every parent and child should know:
Talk to kids about knowing their surroundings. By explaining to them that they need to be fully aware of what’s going on around them, they can stop a dangerous situation from happening.
Teach them to project confidence. Confidence in speech (speaking clearly) and body language (good posture, eye contact, etc.) are the single most important factors that can increase your child’s chances of safety. Regardless of the dangerous situation or the age, a child with a strong presence is less likely to be at risk than those that project shyness or aloofness.
Children should always listen to their instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, they should leave the area immediately without hesitation or fear of getting in trouble.
Matt Romond is a third-degree Krav Maga Worldwide Black Belt, the director of Krav Maga Worldwide’s KM-X kids program, and has more than a decade of experience teaching children and adults Krav Maga self-defense and fight classes. For more, visit www.kravm
