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Introduction
Start this lesson off by looking at the chart below and have each student determine which category they fit in.
Are they using the type of seat that is safest for them?
Are there any adjustments that can be made to ensure students are as safe as possible in the car?
Watch
Choose at least one video to watch.
This video provides an overview of when a child needs to use a booster seat and how it protects them.
This video is informative and useful for students in grades 2-4.
This is a recording of a school assembly where students are taught about car safety and how to safely buckle.
Idea for students in grades K-2.
This video shows students what it looks like for a 6 year old to be involved in a crash while not sitting in a booster seat.
The video is useful for all students to see what can happen when safety guidelines aren't followed, but particularly useful for students who are meant to use a booster seat.
For Preteens
There are a lot of videos, lessons and activities out there for young children. However, preteens need to hear the message, too! Here is an article from Safekids.org that you can use to have a discussion with your older students. They can use what they learn here to complete some of the activities below.
Seat Belt Safety for PreTeens
Seat Belt Safety for PreTeens
Your preteens are getting closer to the driving on their own. This is a great time to have your preteens learn how to protect themselves in vehicles before they get behind the wheel. The best place to start is by making sure they understand why it’s so important to buckle up on every ride. Here are a few tips that will make sure they’re doing it right.
Be sure your kids are ready for a seat belt by giving them the following Safety Belt Fit Test:
Your children’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat when their backs and bottoms are against the vehicle seat back; and The vehicle lap belt should fit across the upper thighs; and
The shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest. Children are usually between 8 and 12 years old when the seat belt fits them properly.
Once your children pass the Safety Belt Fit Test, teach them the importance of using seat belts on every ride, whether they’re with you or not. If they learn this lesson early, they’ll be more likely to buckle up when they’re older or when you’re not around.
Kids are VIPs – just ask them. VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all kids in the back seat until they are 13.
When adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. So be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.
A lap and shoulder belt provides the best protection for your preteens and should be used on every ride.
We know kids like to slouch or lean against the windows during the drive, but it makes a difference in terms of safety. Have your children sit upright when using seat belts.
Activity
Choose at least one activity to complete but enjoy as many as you'd like throughout the month.
Make a safety brochure or bulletin board
Make a safety brochure or bulletin board
Working together or individually, have students create a safety brochure or bulletin board that they could share with other students to teach them all they have learned about seat belt and booster seat safety. They can use the videos and conduct more research if they'd like.
Humpty Dumpty Drives
Humpty Dumpty Drives
For an in depth experiment you can use these directions to build your own egg car and driving ramp. You can simulate the importance of wearing a seat belt. A comic style review of this activity can be found here.
Crash Math
Crash Math
Did you know that in a crash or sudden stop, your body weight is multiplied by the speed of the car? Have students do the math for their weight.
weight X speed = the force a person will strike the interior car surface or objects outside the vehicle with
"Buckle Up" Original Song
"Buckle Up" Original Song
Ask students to use a well known song (Old McDonald, Jingle Bells, Frere Jacque) and create a 'buckle up' song that can be sung while your family gets in the car! Record the song to share with others. Examples can be seen here.
Make a Trivia Game
Make a Trivia Game
Have students research and find statistics about seat belt and booster seat use to create a trivia game. Here are some stats to get them started if needed.
Safety Signs
Safety Signs
Have students create their own safety signs/posters about seat belt and booster seat safety that could be hung as a reminder throughout the month.
Musical Seat Belts
Musical Seat Belts
Have students compete to see who can sit and buckle each of the seat belts in your vehicle the quickest using these directions:
Start by buckling in one seat.
When a whistle is blown or you yell 'go!' the student will unbuckle and exit the vehicle.
The student must make their way around the vehicle in a clockwise direction.
The student must sit in the next seat and buckle themselves in, yelling 'Seatbelt Safety!' before unbuckling and repeating numbers 3-4.
Time each student to see how long it takes each person to get through all the seats.
The person with the fastest time wins!
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