At what age does a toddler/child realize the street is dangerous?

Question

my son is 3 and 1/2 and I am worried about him running into the street, he doesn't seem to have a curiosity about it, but I am still worried. I would like to get a fence in our front yard to keep him in and safe. Any comments?

I guess I make myself sound dumb, I DO explain to my son about how dangerous the street is and he knows they can hurt him but what age will he understand the serious of the street? I mean right now he knows climbing on benches could be dangerous cuz he could fall off but it doesn't stop him. My friend told me they don't understand until their 5, is that accurate? I mean when can my heart not skip a beat when a car passes because I am afraid he will run into the street without thinking?

Answer 1

Well you sound like a good and thoughtful mom to me. The fence is a great idea, but he still needs supervision bc some toddlers can figure out how to open the gate. When I was 3, I told everyone that I was "going to work" in the am and everyone laughed. They found out later that the front door was open and that I had opened the door and walked outside crossing several streets. They found me 3 blocks away talking with a woman and her child. She told my mom that I had told her that I was going to work. I was fortunate that nothing happened to me when I crossed those streets (during rush hour). The moral of this story is that 3 year olds still don't really understand the danger of traffic (some older kids don't seem to understand the danger either). Keep talking with your son, but keep an eye on him as you seem to be doing now. Hopefully, by school age (about 6), he will be able to walk to school by himself. It's hard to put an exact age on when a kid understands the danger (kids are different), but I would say it is probably around school age. OTOH, some adults don't seem to understand the danger and it's not funny how some ppl will jaywalk without looking (and assume the fear of lawsuits will protect them from getting run over).

Answer 2

I look at it like this way.There is children of all ages being struck by cars daily.No matter how much you teach your child the dangers of playing or running into the street you should never trust your child to play near a street.I say 6 year olds can comprehend more about street dangers but then again even 6 year olds runs into the street and gets hit.Get the fence,it is a smart idea as long as he dont climb over it.

Answer 3

I think your child is at an age where he can understand when you tell him that the street is dangerous. I think he would still need supervision at all times though because often times children react with out thinking first. For example they might know the rule about going into the street....but lets say a ball rolled out into the road. Your son may chase after it without thinking first that he's not allowed to go into the street. This may take a few more years for him to think about his actions before just reacting. A fence wouldn't be a bad idea for now.

Answer 4

I agreed with you.Installing a fence is a great idea.The more expensive it gets,the more stronger it is.If a wooden fence cost $66 per yard and another type of fence cost $100 per yard,I would buy the more expensive one just to ensure that our child is safe.Even though the child look like he isn't curious about the road,he may just be playing a plank on you.You can tell him how dangerous the road is by telling him stories about road accident,mischievous act and playing along the roadside is dangerous.Make him know how much you are concern about his safety.You may buy books for them and read to them the stories about danger along the road.You can start teaching them road safety by teaching them the kerb drill.The kerb drill practise includes Looking to your right,then look to your left and after that look to your right again.After making sure that there is no cars,tell your sons to raise up their hand and walk as children are very small in size and this make it difficult for drivers to see them.

This is what I learn at school.I may be nine but I know that dangers can occur at any time any where.

Answer 5

A 3yo is definitely able to understand the danger of the street.

A good way to make a point in helping them visualize the danger is: the next time you see a squirrel or other animal dead in the road, point it out to your child saying something like, "Look, HE didn't listen when he was told to stay out of the street! I feel bad for his family...they must be really sad to lose him."

This directly shows a child the consequences and is better than words that they may not listen to.

You only have to stand on the sidewalk to point it out, because they don't need to see the animal's insides falling out...they just need to see it from afar and realize it is dead.

*But please never intentionally run over an animal to teach your child the point.


*******ALSO: If a ball/toy rolls in the street:
Tell them:
"Never, EVER go into the street, even if a ball/toy falls into the street: Because we can NEVER buy another YOU, but we can ALWAYS buy another ball/toy."

Answer 6

The best way for him to learn is for you to walk him across the street from time to time. Make sure you check both ways, and instruct him to do so as well. If cars come by, you'll have the perfect opportunity to show him just why he should check before crossing streets. Outside of that, don't let him out of your sight if he can get near the street. The best way I learned, as most kids do, is to have a frightening experience; I've never forgotten, since then, to check for traffic.
That's my two cents for ya.

Answer 7

i visit't bear in options Elric in spite of the undeniable fact that it replaced into likely about 10 or 15 years in the past!! i respect a drink like each body else yet daren't drink lunch time because it places me to sleep and not in any respect in the evening both at the same time as there are programmes i wish to exhibit screen! Ah nicely!!!!

Answer 8

DEAR

WALK HIM ACROSS IT AND SHOW HIM HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE IF YOU HAVE A MAIL BOX ON SIDE OF THE ROAD ARE PUT THE TRASH OUT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MAKE HIM TAKE YOUR HAD AND WALK HIM OUT AND SHOW HIM .

THE RIGHT WAY AND THE WRONG WAY ABOUT THE ROADS AND THE STREETS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OK

AND TELL HIM IF HE EVER ACROSS THE STREET WITH OUT MOMMY ARE DADDY HE GETS A SPANKING ON HIS BOTTOM NO QUESTIONS ASK WHY ALMOST 4 THEY KNOW WHY THEY ARE GETTING SPANKED OK

TAKE CARE GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

I agree. This is a very smart age. Take him across the street, but tell him he is not allowed around cars without you or whoever else is a primary adult in his life. Let him know "cars will hurt you" that age.. pain isnt very inviting.

Answer 10

your heart will never not skip a beat you have a child my dear. i have a three year old and she knows how to look both way before crossing the drive way you just need to take time out of every day and show him what to do to be safe he will learn fast and you will be so happy the first time you catch him do it on his own.