There is no shortage of benefits that come from traveling to new places. We enjoy the boost of creativity and productivity. You get a better understanding of other cultures, and even the ability to manage our emotions better. But remembering to teach kids about travel safety is extremely important for traveling.
While it may seem like your young children won’t enjoy the same benefits because they’re too young to remember everything they are seeing, traveling with kids can still have many benefits. From a young age, traveling can help teach your kids how to be adaptable. It can open their eyes to new ideas. And, even give them the same boost of creativity we enjoy as adults.
How to Teach Kids About Travel Safety
Kids are never too young to learn about new cultures. It’s also never too soon to teach kids about travel safety. Keep reading to learn how to start teaching your little ones about safe and responsible travel at any age.
Start Before You Leave Home
If you travel often, you probably already know that staying safe while you’re away, starts before you ever leave home. If you want to raise safe little travelers, it’s best to start talking to them about travel safety now.
One great way to prepare your kids is to show them how to prep your home before a vacation. Unplugging electronics can help prevent a fire. Putting lights on a timer can deter criminals, as can making sure that all windows and doors are locked.
You might even teach older kids how to check in on your home security camera system. You can teach how to use it to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. While these may not be skills your children need right now, teaching them early on about keeping a home safe will ensure that these skills are second-nature when they move into their first apartment.
Make Sure Little Ones Know What They Need to Reconnect With You
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. You turn away for one second in a shopping mall or other busy place, and when you turn back, your child is gone. While you can’t have your eye on your little one 24/7 while traveling, especially if you have more than one child, there is something you can teach them to make sure that you reconnect.
If your child is too young to have a cell phone of their own or to know who to go to or where you’re staying if they get separated from you, at least make sure that they know their first and last name and the cell phone number of at least one parent. Whether they can memorize these or not, teach them to stay exactly where they are the moment they realize they can’t see you. This will help you avoid them from getting even more lost in an unknown place.
You can also use a device such as Jiobit, just in case they do get lost.
Show Them How to Notice Their Surroundings
Perhaps the best travel skill you can teach kids of any age is to notice their surroundings. While we are traveling, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement. We see all the sights and fail to notice things that are happening. These can be things such as that person who seems to appear everywhere you go. Or, the fact that you’ve wandered into a part of town that looks less than safe. Or even that drink someone just poured you that you let out of your sight for a moment.
You don’t need to teach your young children about watching their drinks or judging a part of town quite yet. However, you can start to show them how to notice what’s happening around them. When you’re somewhere new, pause a moment and talk to them about the ordinary things happening around you. As they get older, talk to them about details they should watch for, like strangers who seem to be looking at them or how to spot an area that’s less than safe.
Teaching Kids About Travel Safety
Kids are never too young to start learning travel safety. Whether you’re teaching your toddler their last name or showing your teens how to prep your home before you travel, these tips can help you raise responsible, smart globe trotters.
