Outdoor Safety for Children Just Got a Lot More Memorable
Summer is almost here.
As the chills of winter and social distancing fade away, it’s more important than ever to encourage outdoor play. The warm sun and longer days provide a naturally expanding environment for children to explore.
New adventures and fresh-air activities keep kids active and healthy. When kids play outside, imaginations broaden, curiosities unfold, and independence beckons.
Summertime is brimming with potential. Unfortunately, that includes seasonal risks and warm weather dangers.
Outdoor safety for children is an important topic for all families. So how can you keep those wandering feet and exploring minds safe in the summertime?
It’s time to break into song.
Sing Your Way to a Safe Summer
Singing is a fabulous parenting strategy.
You don’t have to be the Von-Trapp family or audition-worthy performers to use songs and music to your parenting advantage. If you can sing “Happy Birthday to You,” you are ready for this parenting goldmine.
Understanding outdoor safety for kids is probably not very high on your child’s priority list. As parents, it’s probably constantly on your mind.
Using simple songs about outdoor safety is a fast, easy way to teach your kids the crucial information they need, including rules, risk awareness, and tips to stay safe.
The Benefits of Using Safety Songs
When you hide summertime safety lessons and reminders in songs, you’re meeting your children at their level. Pairing new rules and music together through catchy and familiar nursery rhymes like “I’m a Little Teapot” activates both sides of the brain. That means your kids will learn faster and remember better.
Another benefit of using songs to teach summer safety awareness is consistency. Song lyrics can be printed and easily shared with caregivers. That way, when your kiddos are at the babysitter’s or grandparents’, everybody is on the same page about staying safe outside.
Safety songs are a great way to tackle whatever specific topic you need whenever you need it. Singing creates an environment of fun, play, and positivity. These little songs are mighty ways to make outdoor safety for children fun and memorable.
Turning outdoor safety advice into songs is pretty simple. All it takes is some well-known nursery rhymes and a few slightly cheesy lyrics.
Another great trick to singing summer safety tips is that they’re easy to change or modify. You can swap out nursery-rhyme tunes or word choices according to your family’s preferences or your children’s ability and age.
If the idea of singing gives you stage fright, The American Red Cross has some animated water safety lessons that are still fun and engaging. You can also check out some seasonal, parent-oriented guides about outdoor safety for kids.
Safety Songs to Try This Summer
Here are a few outdoor safety topics and jingles to sing with your kids before they head out to play this summer.
Crossing the Street
Stop, look and listen
Before you cross the street
Use your eyes and use your ears
Before your use your feet
Having a Buddy
(To the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I need a buddy when I’m outside
We stay together all the time
When I want to play somewhere new
I tell my buddy, and he goes too
Wearing Sunscreen
(To the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
Pour on the lotion, rub it in
Perfect for my summer skin
On my bike or in the pool
Sunscreen protects and keeps me cool
Handling the Heat
(To the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m the summer sun
I’m bright and hot
During the day I shine a lot
Trees and hats can give you shade
And keep you away from my hot rays
Pool Safety (and many more water safety songs)
(To the tune of “Row Row Row Your Boat”)
Walk, walk, walk don’t run,
Near a swimming pool
Walking feet will keep you safe
Let’s repeat this rule
Helmets and Bikes
(To the tune of “Are you Sleeping)
Where’s my helmet?
Where’s my helmet?
On my head! On my head!
Helmets keep my head safe
When I want to ride fast
Watch me go! Watch me go!
Making Safe Memories Meaningful
Benjamin Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Songs can be a powerful teaching aid for enhancing outdoor safety for kids. They don’t care if you forget all of the words halfway through or if you make them up as you go.
What they’ll remember is sharing the moment with you. Before you know it, they’ll remember the words and the verses, too, which means they’ll remember how to stay safe when they’re outside this summer.
Discover more positive parenting ideas to keep your family safe and happy at Northwest NC Families.
Connect with a Triple P Provider
The Triple P Positive Parenting Program is a unique program designed to support families and educate parents on positive parenting techniques, including setting healthy boundaries.
Whether you have found your teenager to be a victim or a perpetrator of cyberbullying, reach out to Northwest NC Families today for help connecting with a Triple P provider near you.