Playing sports may mean your kids find their way to and from practice unaccompanied by you. They may rely on a carpool, walk to fields or wait after practices for pick-up. As your children become more independent, it’s important to equip them to make smart choices and that you are aware of specific transportation details and the people involved.

The first approach to child safety is to talk together to make a safety plan. Your kid should always know the safest way to get to practice, what to do when encountering a stranger and how to seek help if threatened or endangered. Support your child with answers to any possible situation.

If your children will be walking to and from practice, explore together the safest route and go over any scenarios that may occur when they are walking alone. Finally, don’t let your children travel on their own until you have practiced and are confident they will remain safe in this new independent state of transportation.

For more details on these preparations for child safety, see the link below.

This resource stems from a Positive Coaching Alliance Trusted Resource - Kidpower - a nonprofit leader in abuse and violence prevention for children and adults. Kidpower makes it FUN to learn about being safe, rather than scary. Caring adults can use the Kidpower Method™ to protect children and teens from bullying, child abuse, abduction, and other violence.