The Importance of Road Safety Education

With traffic on our roads becoming increasingly busy it is important for all of us to teach children from a young age to be aware of the traffic rules and regulations. Years ago children could ride down the street without a care in the world but times have changed and with more cars, scooters, bikes, motorbikes, buses and trams on the road than ever it is imperative we all stay safe.

There are many fun and simple ways to teach children both at home and in the classroom. In your local area there may be a little traffic school where they can ride their own bikes or scooters and learn the rules of the road. Or you could ask a volunteer policeman/ woman or road safety group to come and talk to the children in a class environment. In Victoria alone there are many groups who support Road Safety and it is coordinated by the Victoria Road Safety Education Reference Group.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)

Department of Justice

Department of Transport

Public Transport Victoria

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV)

Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

VicRoads (Chair)

Victoria Police

According to the Road Safety education website ‘There is evidence that children start learning about the road system from a very early age and that this can lead to safer behaviors in later life.’

Road safety education plays an important role in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of children and young people – ensuring they become responsible drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists.

As the old saying goes; you are never too young to learn.

To see who supports Road safety in your local area or state click here: – http://www.australianroadsafetyfoundation.com

For more information and some useful links:-

http://www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au

http://www.constablekenny.org.au/parents/road-safety/

Road Safety craft ideas. Fun to incorporate at home or at kindergarten:-

https://www.pinterest.com/klmartino/cars-and-road-safety-ideas/

Engaging Multiple Intelligences

When it comes to education at any level, we often see great emphasis placed on two areas of intelligence – verbal or English and maths. Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests and many academic tests predominantly measure aptitude in these areas. While we believe in the importance of these areas, we are also passionate about the idea of each person having multiple intelligences’ and that each one of these areas should be nurtured in early childhood education and beyond.

The term ‘multiple intelligences’ refers to a theory by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, who proposed that there are eight kinds of intelligence and of course we each possess skills within these. The eight areas Dr Gardner identified are:

Musical – a great understanding of music and often enjoy singing or tapping away
Linguistic – talented when it comes to words. These children may enjoy reading, writing and telling stories
Logical-mathematical – ability in maths and patterns. Skilled in strategy games
Bodily-kinesthetic – great physical ability when it comes to sports and expressing oneself physically
Spatial – often think visually and have well-developed artistic ability
Intrapersonal – understanding of their own emotions and desires with the ability to be self-motivated
Interpersonal – perceptive and leaders among peers with exceptional communication skills and ability to understand the feelings of others
Naturalist – a natural aptitude for recognising and classifying elements in nature, from animals to plants

Here are some really great links that offer comprehensive information on how to identify where one’s strengths lie when it comes to these seven areas, as well as supporting and opposing theories and the eights type of intelligence that Dr Gardner later identified: ‘naturalist’, referring to an ability to recognise elements in nature.

LINKS:
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/multiple_intelligences/
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-are-multiple-intelligences
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=251
http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As you can see, each child can fit into many of these intelligence categories to varying degrees. This broader view of intelligence equips educators and parents alike with the ability to teach in a way that can enhance these areas and allow children to blossom in the areas they are naturally destined to excel in.

Visit the Bonkers Beat Facebook page and share your ideas when it comes to educational techniques that focus one or more particular areas – we’d love to hear from you.

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