As a child I remember that we didn’t start the school year until after Labor Day due to no air conditioning in the school. 

As a very young child I looked forward to this ‘Labor Day’ but didn’t know why we celebrated it.  This is a perfect space to emphasize to your young children what community helpers do as we approach this day off for many of us. 

Emphasize to them this holiday makes our workers feel special as we celebrate their achievements.

Take time to explain to your child the different jobs our community helpers do. Talk to them about the jobs of the police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, teachers, utility workers, mail carriers, bakers and the list goes on and on.

As a teacher and children’s director my mindset is “someone’s trash is a teacher’s treasure.” From the Web you can get many hands-on lessons in teaching about occupations. 

Crafts such as occupations collages require no expense but just pictures from magazines, glue and a piece of paper. Look in your closets for old shoeboxes to make entire towns, fire trucks, police cars, etc. Young children get excited when they have made their own crafts. They cherish items that they have made.  They will learn so much about the people in the community who make their world better.

Safety Week

The first week in September is Safety Week.  There are key lessons that all young children need to know.

They need to learn tips about: calling 911 when there is an emergency; buckling up for safety in the car; the dangers of wandering off, or of talking to strangers; poison prevention; bicycle safety; and water safety.

Parents, it is  very important for young children to be taught how to dial 911.  The safety reasons for teaching them include fire, accidents and sudden illnesses that may strike a parent or caregiver. The caregiver may not be able to provide proper childcare. 

Present this safety lesson to your young child in a calm, non-threatening manner. As a teacher, I use a toy telephone to teach children to learn how to dial 911.  Children enjoy playing with old cell phones or home phones. I love to sit back and hear pretend conversations on these out-of-service phones.

Children who are 3 years or older  can practice writing 911 as well as using their pointing finger to trace the number. Go over, especially with your young child, the situations that warrant using 911.

Put a sticker on your phone with 911 so your little one will remember the number to dial.

We once had a song, “Buckle up for safety, buckle up” to remind young children to put on their safety belts.  The best way to teach this lesson is to have your child simply to practice buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt in the car.

In teaching your child not to talk to strangers I have used the story of “Little Red Riding Hood,” which can be found online or check in a library. Parents, be clear on instructions to your children about this. Instruct your child to never get in the car, or go with, strangers. In teaching my young students I instruct them not to accept candies or go away from the sight of their parents.  Develop a security system with your child.

With poison prevention the best home policy is to put them up, out of your young child’s reach. Tell them not to touch or drink anything with a skull or an “X” on it, which means poisonous materials.

As a teacher I deeply appreciate knowing when a child is allergic to certain foods or conditions. It is the parent’s responsibility to let a teacher or director know about allergies so the information can be noted on a card.  There are children who are allergic to certain cleaning products, dust and mold. Let the caregiver know this right away. This is all a part of safety.

When your young child is riding a bicycle, even with training wheels or skateboarding, be sure she is wearing a helmet. A local police officer would welcome the opportunity to explain this to your child like they do in a classroom. Out of courtesy, get an appointment well in advance.  Have a fire escape plan in your home as well. “Stop, drop and roll” is what local firefighters teach our children when they come to the classroom or we go on field trips. Visit the local fire department to find out the best way to explain to your young child how to survive in this emergency. Again, be sure to make an appointment.

With water safety, again the best safety procedure is to tell your 2- through 4-year-olds to stay clear of the water unless they are with their parents or caregivers. Try to have your child take swimming lessons. The very best ways to save your child’s life is under the instruction of a certified Red Cross provider.

Have a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend!

Beth Pinyerd serves as children’s ministry director at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.