Life lesson: Children and bike safety
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Eggs, helmets and the brain
Eggs and helmets for children do not sound like they belong together. However, the most effective safety training idea for kids connects the idea of an egg and a helmet. My story tells you how and at the bottom of this article, I provide links and stats unknown to many. Now, sit back, read, and learn.
A few years back, my family and I visited a museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. The American Red Cross took part in a safety day and talked to kids about the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike, skateboarding, roller blading, and playing sports. After we checked out the awesome exhibits, we found the small auditorium and watched as the presenters used two, simple eggs in a whole new way.
Two women performed a play about safety. They placed real, raw eggs in sealed, clear plastic bags. Then, they pretended to be puppets, that rode bikes and played. When the "accident" happened, the children jumped and reacted. This was nothing compared to what came next!
One of the women showed the "brain" of the puppet, that wore a helmet. It was still intact and fine. The other puppet's "brain" dripped from the shell in the bag. It smashed when the puppet fell, hitting his head! Right then, right there, both of my children made a connection between eggs and helmets.
They learned safety in a highly visual manner and to this day, react when they spot a bike or motorcycle rider without a helmet. They also react when they see someone with a helmet. My darling, sweet children have shouted "yahoo" and other not so charming names at riders who failed to protect their brains by wearing a helmet. For those who do wear them, my children will give a thumbs-up or a hastily shouted "hooray."
I cannot tell you how many times I implored my children to wear their helmets when riding their bikes, skateboarding and roller blading. All of my words, and implemented consequences, had little effect. With two, simple eggs, the American Red Cross convinced almost every child in the audience to wear a helmet so their brains could be safe.
As a childcare provider for different centers and organizations, I watched safety videos as a part of my initial training. I attended many sessions and workshops for the same issue. I completed simple understanding tests to prove I knew safety. The idea of using an egg as a visual clue to teach the importance of safety is brilliant and the most effective safety training idea for kids. Who would have thought two, eggs could hold so much power?
Safety4Kids lists the following facts about bike safety, kids and injuries:
- Almost 176,000 kids sought help from emergency rooms each year after receiving injuries from riding a bicycle; www.kidshealth.org places the number higher at almost half a million.
- Head injuries cause the greatest amount of injury.
- All states have laws related to wearing a helmet; visit www.helmets.org to learn the requirements for your state.
- Reduce the threat of injury by 85% by wearing a secured helmet.
- Those under nine years of age should not ride in the street, not even on the side or on one used infrequently by cars.
- Wearing helmets while playing on a playground is actually dangerous as issues with strangulation and entanglement may occur.
