26 April 2010
"Simon and Friends" bring road safety stories to preschools
At a busy crèche in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Road Safety Authority (RSA) Chairman Mr Gay Byrne today Monday 26th April launched the RSA’s newest road safety resource, ‘Simon and Friends’, with help from the children of the Sophia Housing Association crèche.
The RSA’s new resource for preschools, ‘Simon and Friends’, aims to promote and encourage road safety among children aged five and under. The resource contains four individual storybooks with stories and characters that promote age appropriate road safety messages amongst preschool children. ‘Simon’s Surprise’, ‘Josie’s Picnic’, ‘Sara and Sophia’s Trip to the Farm’ and ‘Charlie Goes to a Party’ focus on road safety themes such as holding hands, stopping, looking and listening and setting a good example in an effort to make young road users aware of their safety when using the roads.
Speaking at the launch today, Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman of the RSA said: “I am delighted to launch ‘Simon and Friends’ today, the newest addition to our child-centred road safety initiatives. Children learn good habits from a young age and it’s never too early to start educating young people on how to be safe on the road. But it’s also important to do this in a child-friendly way that it is understandable and interesting to the youngest of our road-users.”
“Road safety is as important to children as it is to adults, and children learn by the example set by others. As parents, grandparents and guardians, we have a responsibility to set a good example for our children and ensure that the lessons taught in preschools and schools across the country are put into practice every day. I would encourage all preschools to get involved in the ‘Simon and Friends’ programme and make road safety part of Early Years education,” he concluded.
‘Simon and Friends’ is a fun, educational road safety programme for children aged five and under, and is the newest addition to the RSA’s child-centred road safety initiatives such as ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ and Hi Glo Silver’. The resource includes a colourful case with four illustrated storybooks, an audio CD with songs and recordings of the stories (also available in Irish), as well as an accompanying guide for teachers. There are additional activities, games and songs to support the stories and communicate important road safety messages to children in an enjoyable way.
The programme was piloted through five County Childcare Committees in 2009. With up to 4,700 preschools in the country, the RSA is now rolling out the ‘Simon and Friends’ programme nationwide through participating County Childcare Committees. The resource is free of charge and training sessions will be provided for interested preschools over the coming months.
ENDS
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