To be effective, traffic education needs to change unconscious behaviors that
put children at risk. This program is founded on the results of research and
involves strategies to develop safe behaviors for traveling in traffic.
The lessons most readily lend themselves to the Physical Education/Health
Education area of the curriculum, but are not limited to them. Each session
begins with a physical activity that sets the stage for the main lesson and
incorporates techniques that empower children. The videos use a stop-and-start
format, which allows the teacher to lead discussions at key points throughout
the lesson.
The participative style of these programs stresses cooperative learning, peer
coaching and guided discovery. As children progress from playground activities,
to crossing a street, to bicycling in the school neighborhood, a foundation
of knowledge will be built and carried through adulthood.
Teacher Training
A 20-hour teacher-training workshop addresses childhood injury and child development.
It focuses on future transportation trends, current research, accident analysis,
effective education techniques, legal liability, enforcement guidelines,
as well as program implementation and evaluation. Community involvement is
encouraged, with an open invitation for parents, police officers and administrators
to participate with the teachers. College credit and/or renewable units are
available in some states.
This is not a stand-alone quick fix, view and forget program. It is a comprehensive
skills and attitude enrichment curriculum. The key to success is teacher knowledge
and involvement.
Questions about the curriculum or teachers and training should be addressed
to Roger DiBrito via email at dibrito@montana.com. Roger can connect you with
trained teachers and administrators throughout the country.
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