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Safekids Aotearoa

5-9 years: “I’m bold"

Your pre-schooler has now become a fully-fledged school kid! They’re growing quickly, learning fast and becoming more independent with each day. Fearless and adventurous, they’re excited to try out new and daring things and keen to show you how grown-up they are.

This is the age when you’ll start to see your tamariki looking to their friends for approval.

The good news is they’re still like sponges, watching you as much as you’re watching them, so you can use this age to help them learn all the ways they can explore and still stay safe.

For more detailed information about child development in these years see the information online at Parent Help for Parent and Family Support.

What you need to know about your school kid

  • They will be doing many things that can cause serious injury, such as riding a bike, playing on a trampoline, using playground equipment and crossing roads.

  • Because they want to do grown-up things such as helping in the kitchen and using matches and lighters, they are at greater risk of scalds and burns.

  • Their game playing with friends is more adventurous, both inside and outside, increasing their risk of falls or drowning if near or in water and unsupervised.

  • Although they are capable of riding bikes and crossing roads their judgement is not good when it comes to sound, distance and speed, so they are at risk of being run over or knocked off their bike.

Top tips

  • Teach your child to watch out for traffic and how to be safe when walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.

  • Have a talk to them about water safety, and always watch them when they’re swimming or playing near water.

  • Make sure you are free to supervise any risky activities such as climbing.

  • Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and matches/lighters out of reach.

  • Talk to your tamariki about how to be safe on a trampoline, because over-confidence can lead to serious falls. Remember it’s “one at a time!”

  • Don’t forget to check your smoke alarms every month.

  • Protect your child properly in the car by using a booster seat or seatbelt.

 

Parenting Resource Material from Parent Help for Parent and Family Support, is reused with permission.

Read about all the other safety topics for your child below

 

Bikes, skateboards and scooters: 5 - 9 years
Bites, stings and contact with plants or animals: 5 - 9 years
Burns and scalds: 5 - 9 years
Button batteries 5 - 9 Years
Car safety 5 - 9 Years
Child pedestrians: 5 - 9 years
Drowning: 5 - 9 Years
Falls: 5 - 9 years
Injuries from object/person: 5 - 9 years
Poisoning: 5 - 9 years
Product safety: 5 - 9 Years