Teach Your Kids to "Play It Safe"

Try out these games to teach your kids about the safe and unsafe zones in and around your home.

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Materials

• Yo Gabba Safety Stickers
• Heavyweight paper or card stock
• 8 1/2- by 11-in. sticker paper
• Cold lamination contact paper
• Hole punch
• 3 letter-size envelopes
• Sticky tape
• Lengths of yarn or all-purpose string

Directions

1. Step 1

   Print several sets of the <u><a href="yo-gabba-safety-zones-signs.jhtml">"Play It Safe" Printable Stickers</a></u> on a color printer using both the heavyweight paper and the sticker paper.

2. Step 2

   Place the sets printed on the heavyweight paper between sheets of cold lamination contact paper and seal all the edges. This will provide a protective covering for the cards.

3. Step 3

   Help kids cut out the stickers and sort into three groups: <b>Safe, Unsafe,</b> and <b>Ask a Grownup</b>. Place one sticker from each group on an envelope and have kids put the remaining stickers into their corresponding envelopes. (You can prompt pre-readers to each sign's meaning by reminding them that, as with traffic lights, red means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means go.)

4. Step 4

   Help cut the laminated cards,and then make a hole in the top center of each card with the hole punch. Loop a small length of yarn or string through each hole and tie the ends to create tags that your child can hang from knobs or household items.

5. Identify the Zones Game

   Walk through your house with your child and point out features like electrical sockets, lamp cords, toys, doors, supply cabinets, and electronic devices. Ask your child which card goes with each item. Place the cards on or near the "unsafe" objects and let your child place the other cards.

6. "I Spy" Safety Game

   When you have gone through the house and marked all the zones, play an "I Spy" game asking your child to identity a safe zone, an unsafe zone, and an "ask a grownup" zone. Doing so will help your preschooler learn to associate the shapes and colors of the stickers with the places and things you do and don't want her to touch or play in or around. <br /> <br /> Play both games until you are confident that your child is familiar with all the zones in your home.