How to Teach Safety to Preschoolers Without Fear or Overwhelm (Week 17)

Hello, welcome to this week's Mindset Session. I'm glad you're with me. This week, we're discussing safety as one of your child’s social-emotional objectives.

We encourage you to talk to your child about different scenarios that can potentially happen and how they can stay safe. Below, I want to dive deeper into the how and why of talking about safety with your little ones.

Why teaching safety to preschoolers is so important

First, let’s acknowledge that this topic can be stressful for both children and parents. It’s hard to think about potential dangers, but it’s essential to gradually educate your child on how to stay safe in an empowering, age-appropriate way.

Safety education looks different for every child. Some children may respond positively, while others may become fearful. The goal isn’t to overwhelm or scare them - it’s to build confidence and give them practical tools.

How to talk about safety topics at home without creating fear

When introducing safety topics, tune in to your child's readiness. It’s okay to wait on certain discussions if your child seems too distressed. For example, the idea of "stranger danger" might be too intense for some children. If forced too early, it may cause fear instead of awareness.

Instead, safety conversations should make your child feel informed and capable, not frightened. Gauge their response and go at their pace.

Easy safety activities to start with: kitchen, fire, and home rules

Begin with simple, non-threatening topics your preschooler can grasp:

• Kitchen safety: Talk about not touching hot stoves or sharp knives.
• Fire safety: Try a pretend fire drill. Discuss what to do if they smell smoke, where your meeting place is, and how to call 911.
• Home safety: Go over rules like not opening the door to strangers and how to identify family members.

Some kids love role-playing these scenarios. It gives them a sense of control and comfort knowing what to do. For many children, these activities are actually fun and help them feel grown-up and secure.

What to do if your child gets anxious during safety talks

If your child reacts with fear or stress, take a step back. Focus on lighter safety habits that are still important:

• Wearing seatbelts in the car
• Putting on bike helmets
• Learning your phone number (as a memory game!)

These daily safety habits build awareness without the emotional load. You can always revisit tougher topics later.

Stay informed: How to teach preschool safety with current best practices

Before starting any safety lesson, brush up on the topic to make sure you’re sharing current, developmentally appropriate information.

Some advice we grew up with, like “don’t talk to strangers”, is now considered outdated or even counterproductive. Modern safety education emphasizes trusting instincts, recognizing potentially hazardous behavior, and seeking assistance.

Take a few minutes to research any safety topic before discussing it. Up-to-date knowledge makes your guidance more effective and less confusing for your child.

Make safety a habit: Ongoing conversations and fun learning activities

Teaching safety isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an evolving conversation that continues as your child grows and encounters new situations.

• Make it part of your routine:
• Periodically review old safety rules
• Introduce new topics as needed
• Rehearse and role-play scenarios regularly

Involve your child in these conversations. Let them help create your family’s emergency plan. The more engaged they are, the more likely they’ll remember what to do.

And remember: it doesn’t have to be a formal lecture. Safety education can be playful, empowering, and even fun.

That’s your focus for this week, and I hope it gives you peace of mind as you begin this habit with your preschooler. See you next time!