It seems like such a simple safety tip to learn.
In today’s world, where parents are constantly worried about their children’s safety, one important precaution seems to have been pushed aside.
What is it?
Having a three-year-old memorize important information in case they become lost and separated from their family.
A few years ago, my daughter and I were shopping at a busy mall when a young boy, about three years old, approached us and said, “I can’t find my mommy.”
I quickly bent down to his level and said, “We’ll help you find your mommy. What is your name?”
“Justin,” he said through his tears.
“What’s your mommy’s name?”
“Mommy.”
“Justin, this is what we’re going to do. We’re going to sit on that bench over there together. Your mom will see us when she comes out of a store. We’ll wait here for a little while. My daughter is going to find a security guard, and they’ll help us find your mommy. Is that okay with you?”
Justin nodded. I took his hand, and we walked over to a nearby bench. My daughter headed to the closest store and asked them to call security.
In less than five minutes, an announcement went out over the public address system, a security guard was standing with us, and Justin’s mother came running out of a nearby store, relief written all over her face.
It was a quick and happy ending to the story of a lost child—a situation that happens to most parents at one time or another.
I think it is important that, by age three, all children be able to recite key facts:
• Their full name
• Their mother’s and father’s full names
• Their parents’ phone numbers
• Their street address, including city and state
Once they have that information memorized, keep going. Help them learn their grandparents’ names, phone numbers, and addresses as well.
It is also important to teach children how to identify adults they can safely ask for help. In Justin’s case, his mother had told him that if he ever got lost at the mall, he should ask for help from someone who looked like his grandmother.
There will always be dozens of hazards—from water, cars, playgrounds, fire, the internet, animals, and more—but helping our children learn names, phone numbers, and addresses can make all the difference if that knowledge is ever needed.
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