Our children can be encouraged to be safe pedestrians from very early on. And one of the simplest ways to start is by asking your child to hold hands. It’s an easy concept for them to understand and one you should start practising the moment they start walking. Try and talk  about it with them and how they must always hold hands with an adult to cross a road.

If you have more than one child then get them to hold the pram with your hand over theirs can be helpful.

Why not try some activities in your play that encourage hand holding?

• Use some card to make hands. While you’re tracing around your child’s hand, discuss which adult hands they could hold when around traffic. Draw faces on the fingers and thumbs of those people or write their names.
• Inflate a disposable glove, again write names on each finger and thumb.

Or you can sing songs about holding hands…

Hold hands tightly (To the tune of Frere Jacques)

Hold hands tightly
Hold hands tightly
With your Mum (substitute other adults in the following verses),
When you go out walking,
When you go out walking,
Hold hands tight, yes that’s right!

If you want to cross the road (To the tune of If you’re happy and you know it)

If you want to cross the road hold my hand,
If you want to cross the road hold my hand,
If you want to cross the road,
Here’s something you should know,
If you want to cross the road hold my hand.