Here are 4 things EVERY school age child should have memorized and be able to provide to other adults in emergencies:
1. Full name of mom and dad or caregiver
Many parents and caregivers do not share the same last name or use a nickname for their first name. Children should know their parents’ and caregivers full legal names.
2. Home address
Our society is very mobile and changing addresses occurs frequently. Each move should be accompanied by learning, memorizing and reciting the new home address. This is essential in emergency situations, especially if your child is required to call 911.
3. Phone numbers for mom and dad (or caregiver)
Every phone number a child memories increases the speed of being able to reach a family member in an emergency.
4. Place where mom, dad and/or caregiver works
Your child should know where their caregivers are and how they can be reached in ways other than just a personal mobile phone. A place of work is ideal. Hopefully, no one would ever need to physically get to you, but this is an important back-up communication option.
Do you think your child knows them all? Don’t assume so. I realize this list seems extremely simple however I am constantly shocked at how few children can recite this vital information at our courses, and how many more struggle to recall it under stressful situations.
In my experience, when kids get the facts wrong, they often shrug and say they were close. “Close” will not allow anyone to urgently contact your family. This is vital personal information that should be learned by all children, from Pre-K and above.
Please don’t rely on smart phones, the internet or GPS trackers – technology is a beautiful thing, but it must not replace our brains. And an emergency is a rare thing, but it can’t ever be allowed to take our children.
If you’d like help teaching, reinforcing and practicing these essential skills, book a Child Self Defense Course with me. Along with role-playing emergency situations, your child will be empowered with facts and techniques that could literally save their life, or the life of someone you love.
Let’s keep kids safe and empowered everywhere!
