In the US, most parents believe that protecting kids trumps letting them develop independence. But how do Nordic kids master independence, while staying safe?
Dear Annabelle, one thing about traffic and perhaps all other things too - kids often know Theorie but once they start crossing the road they forget to look or chat with friends and forget to use all knowledge they have. I wonder how to tackle that. How to teach to be present even when they are potentially distracted or it comes with age.
such a great question! I also wondered the same initially: 1. increasing challenge little by little: after teaching them a ton, meaning learning routes and what to do in each crossing and how to handle yourself on sidewalks and bike paths and be aware of all kinds of traffic, I would bike or walk a bit - then way behind them. It wasn't perfect but 95% there.I didn't do this but you could even go undercover and use a friend's car to park near a intersection you worry about and observe them cross! 2. Then I'd let them go on their own and tracked them first on low traffic days like Sunday, then on a regular day -- I noticed that when you are around they'll never focus as much as without you around. 3. The tools help a lot like the visibility vests. But, I think I saw more distracted teens than distracted younger kids. I think it comes with feeling like only you are responsible. And when I'm with them, if I think they behave too distracted, I then say they have to take a break from bike or scooter and walk instead to focus more before they earn it back - because safety is the most important responsibility. With great freedom comes great responsibility!
Dear Annabelle, one thing about traffic and perhaps all other things too - kids often know Theorie but once they start crossing the road they forget to look or chat with friends and forget to use all knowledge they have. I wonder how to tackle that. How to teach to be present even when they are potentially distracted or it comes with age.
such a great question! I also wondered the same initially: 1. increasing challenge little by little: after teaching them a ton, meaning learning routes and what to do in each crossing and how to handle yourself on sidewalks and bike paths and be aware of all kinds of traffic, I would bike or walk a bit - then way behind them. It wasn't perfect but 95% there.I didn't do this but you could even go undercover and use a friend's car to park near a intersection you worry about and observe them cross! 2. Then I'd let them go on their own and tracked them first on low traffic days like Sunday, then on a regular day -- I noticed that when you are around they'll never focus as much as without you around. 3. The tools help a lot like the visibility vests. But, I think I saw more distracted teens than distracted younger kids. I think it comes with feeling like only you are responsible. And when I'm with them, if I think they behave too distracted, I then say they have to take a break from bike or scooter and walk instead to focus more before they earn it back - because safety is the most important responsibility. With great freedom comes great responsibility!