Children spend a lot of time in cars with parents, grandparents, sitters and friends. Unfortunately, many of us forget how important that time can be.
It begins with your child learning to put on a car seat belt. This is one of the most critical learning parts of being in a car. Ask your child, “What do you do the first thing when you get into the car?” Even if he is very young, it won’t be long and he will know the answer to the question.
But what else does he learn? Just like putting on a seat belt, he will learn new things if you take the time to teach him.
When you come up to a stop sign, get his attention by saying “Stop!” Show him where it says “Stop” and even spell it out for him. You are teaching him to spell a word, probably his first word. It won’t be long and he will spot these signs and you will hear him telling you to “Stop!”
In addition to the stop signs, point out the school zone signs, especially the ones by the school he ultimately will go to. This is great introduction to school and to his special school. If he is fond of Jack in the Box or Dairy Queen, help him learn to recognize their signs.
As he gets older, when you see a sign see if he can pick out the letter and after that see if he can pick out the words.
When you see a bike rider by the side of the road, talk about the rules of the road for this person. If the person is on the wrong side of the road, talk about it. You are teaching him the rules no matter what his age.
If you are on a long ride, have him guess how far to your destination or how far to the hill you see at a distance ahead.
Positive feedback
As the potential for a driver’s license comes closer, you want to talk a lot about what you are doing as a good driver. Since you have been talking with him ever since he was very young, you will have taught him a great deal already.
Actually, when you walk with him and each time you drive with him, you are bonding with him. Just the words you share back and forth help him to feel important to you. Telling him you love him is one way to let him know you love him but there are other ways. Give him a kiss as you lift him into his car seat or put him in the basket at the grocery store.
Take advantage of your trip together. There are academic lessons (letters and numbers), there are excitement lessons (recognizing his school zone, guessing on distance), there are driving lessons (seat belt requirement and rules of the road) and there are social lessons (feeling loved). All of these lessons occur every time you get into your car and take off with your little one.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.
