School Safety Advice for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

For some parents, the return of students to the classroom after a summer of insanity at home is a huge relief.However, for parents of children heading into preschool or kindergarten, it's a different story.

That very first day of school can be just as scary for moms and dads as it is for the kids.

Up until now, you may have kept them pretty close.And, even if your child has spent time at a daycare, the transition to school feels different.

Concerned parents want to make sure their kids will be safe.To help ease your worried mind, we've put together some school safety tips for families with kindergarten and pre-K students.

Getting to School Safely

No matter how transportation will work for your younger students, safety is an issue.

On the School Bus

Learning how to get on and off the bus safely can be a big deal for four and five year olds.Yet, this experience will also give kids a sense of independence and build confidence.

Basic school bus safety tips for first-time riders include:

• Meeting the bus driver and touring a school bus.
• Staying out of the street while waiting for pickup.
• Using the handrail when entering and exiting the school bus.
• Making sure the driver can see you during drop-offs.
• Waiting for the driver's signal before crossing the street.
• Staying seated during the school bus ride.

Get more advice onschool bus safetyfrom the National Safety Council.

Walking and Biking to School

If your home is close enough, walking to school may be your plan.This seems like a big step for kindergarten students, and it is, but it can work out in some situations as long as you follow some basic guidelines.

Parents should practice the route with younger students before the start of school, and potentially for the first week or so.Safety experts suggest having students walk home together in groups.You can also ask older siblings or neighborhood friends to walk with your child.

Other pedestrian safety tips for kids include:

• Stick to the route.Don't wander or take shortcuts.
• No horseplay (pushing and shoving) near the street.
• Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing.
• Wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• Learn how to cross the street safely and obey traffic signals.

Walking or biking to and from school is a good way to teach kids about bicycle and pedestrian safety so they learn how to follow the rules.Get more info fromSafeRoutesInfo.org.You can also print out aPDF of advicefrom the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

Safe Kids Worldwidehas an interactive graphic that will help you and your kids learn about getting to school and back home safely.

Driving Kids to School

Even if you or another caretaker are dropping off and picking up your young student, safety is still important.

There's a lot of activity outside schools during these times.The responsibility is on you to drive safely and watch for children, so put down that smartphone!

Review theseback-to-school driving tipsto make sure you're staying safe.

Playing Safely on the Playground

Recess will no doubt be one of the most fun and exciting parts of your new student's school experience.It can also be a time when injuries occur.

The most recentstatistics from the U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) show more than 1.75 million preschool and elementary age students received emergency room treatment due to public playground injuries between 2001 and 2008.

However, playground injury statistics have been on a downward trend in recent years as safer equipment and surfaces are installed.

Bumps, bruises, and scraped knees are part of being a kid.So is learning to take calculated risks during play, but you can help limit those potentially dangerous situations.

More than 2/3 of playground injuries come from falls.Monkey bars, swings, and slides tend to be the common areas where accidents happen. Parents should help preschool and kindergarten students understand their physical limitations on the playground.

There will be supervision during recess, but there will also bea lotof kids.Parents know how hard it can be to watch their own kids on the playground.Imagine supervising dozens of them!That's why teaching students to play safely is smart.

Eating Safely

If you're the parent of a child with food allergies, you probably worry about what your kid is eating when you're not around.

Food allergies can be a bigger concern in preschool and kindergarten classrooms where snack time is part of the daily routine and other families are contributing snacks.

Common food allergens in children include:

• Peanuts (peanut butter)
• Tree nuts such as walnuts and cashews
• Milk/dairy
• Wheat (gluten)
• Eggs
• Soy

Some schools (but not all) have rules about the kinds of food that can be brought to school.Still, it's hard for younger children to say no to snacks that everyone else is eating, even if they realize they shouldn't have it.

Give the teacher an alternative snack for your child for occasions when something is brought in that they can't eat.

As a parent, you need to make your child's teacher and school administrators aware of any food allergies.You may be required to provide an emergency treatment to the school nurse, such as an EpiPen.Children with severe allergies may want to wear amedical ID bracelet.

If you want to learn more about common food allergies in kids, visitHealthyChildren.organd speak with your pediatrician about your concerns.

Know the School's Emergency Plan

When your child starts school, you'll likely get a folder full of handouts and documents.Somewhere in that stack there is likely some information about how the school will respond in emergency situations and natural disasters, which you should read.

You should also make sure to provide emergency contact information and updated contact info for your family doctor or pediatrician.

If you're unclear about the emergency plan at your child's school, you should ask about it.Learn more aboutschool emergency plans at Ready.gov.

Safety in the Classroom

Kindergarten and preschool teachers also play an important role in creating a safe environment for their students.

Cheryl Hatch fromThe Preschool Professor, offers safety advice for educators as well as parents.Of course, fire extinguishers and first aid kits are must-haves.Hatch also suggests having an organized classroom that's designed to keep kids safe.

"While you are looking over your room arrangement, take the time to check out the toys and furniture.Check for broken pieces, jagged edges or anything else that could have the potential to harm children.Throw them away or get them fixed."

Big messes are bound to happen in preschool and kindergarten classrooms.Hatch urges teachers to clean up spills quickly to avoid slips and falls.

Cleaning supplies can be another potential safety hazard for young kids.Make sure cleaners containing chemicals are stored in a safe place where students can't reach them.If you're teaching kids to help clean up, make sure they are supervised when using any cleaning products.

Teachers who want more advice on classroom safety can find additional tips fromEducationWorld.com.

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