5 Ways To Keep Your Child Safe At School

Parents are always filled with many concerns and worries for their kids. Even if they’re just in the next-door neighbor’s playing or out and about in the garden, parents always find a way to watch over them. All that said, however, there’s one place where kids have to go that parents aren’t in 24/7: the school.

The back-to-school season may also be likened to a back-to-worrying time for the parents. The kids are no longer in the watchful eye of the parents when they’re in the school’s care. Of course, schools are equipped with all the know-how needed to ensure safety. But it doesn’t hurt for parents to take extra steps of caution to keep their children safe.

Here’s how:

1. Talk To Your Kids About School Every Day

How often do you ask your kids about how their day went? If it’s not a habit at home, this should be done more often. The simple but thoughtful act of talking to your child about how their day was can give you an insight into what went on during the day.

Of course, this isn’t to say that your child will open up to you right away, in case of any problem. Depending on how open you are with each other, some children may choose to stay quiet or hide some problems with you. This is why you have to establish that open line of communication early on. You can spot potential problems they may be going through early on if you’re keen enough as a parent to observe any differences in your child’s behavior.

2. Teach Them How To Respond To Bullies

In connection with the first tip above, one of the main issues experienced by kids at school is bullying. Typically, this may start verbally. Then, depending on the strength and character of the bully, unfortunately, a physical squabble may ensue.

It’s always a pain for parents to know that their kids have been victims of bullying. But you can teach your kids how to be better people. This doesn’t mean teaching your kids to back out without a fight. They can stand up to their bullies, but not to the point of hurting them back physically, too.

Responding to bullies can be a hard thing even for parents to decipher, so you may want to learn more here.

3. Learn The School’s Emergency Procedures

Learning the school’s emergency procedures isn’t something only the school and the kids themselves have to do. As parents, it pays to familiarize yourself with what those are.

From time to time, refresh those procedures with your kids. This gives you the assurance that your child will know what to do and where to go without being fully dependent only on their teacher.

Most importantly, when you and your child go through those emergency procedures, you’re giving your child a newfound sense of confidence. A child who’s confident enough to handle themselves during an emergency will always have an edge over those who don’t have any idea or knowledge at all.

4. Let Your Child Memorize Your Basic Information

Children are sponges, so don't underestimate their ability to absorb important details. Hence, one of the many things you should let your child memorize is your basic information. This should include your name, address, and contact number.

Keep a copy of those details, too, in your child’s bag and mobile phone, if they already have one. Should your child get lost to and from home and school, for instance, it’s a big thing that they can tell police officers who their parents are or where they live.

5. Teach Your Kids The Basic ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ Rule

The ‘don’t talk to strangers’ rule is all-too-familiar. When you were kids yourself, your parents told you the same rule, too. Whenever you drop your kids off at school or when they wait for the bus, remind them of that rule all the time.

Strangers with bad intentions are getting more cunning by the day. Reports of pedophiles preying on school kids should be enough to set you on your guard. Along with this rule, teach your kids also to never accept anything from strangers.

Takeaway

As parents, it’s normal to always want to be present with your kids. However true and desirable, this isn’t always the case. There are inevitably instances when the kids have to be left on their own, so they can learn and practice their independence. One of those instances is when the children have to go to school. With the safety tips above, you can have higher peace of mind as parents that your kid is going to turn out just fine while at school.