The developmental needs of children as it relates to CPS...Need input, ideas, and/or photos!!

ShumNum

Senior Community Member
Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I've posted here... life has been beyond crazy!

I've been asked to give a power-point presentation on the developmental aspects of car seat safety. The audience will be about 30 CPSTs. Topics will include things like:

-Tips on preventing toddlers from unbuckling themselves
-The peer-pressure/embarrassment some older children feel when riding in boosters and how to address that.
-And maybe a few tips about keeping children with special needs safe.

I'd love to hear some of your thoughts about other issues/developmental challenges you've experienced or think would be helpful to address.... And any ways you solved problems. For example, toddlers may try to unbuckle the harness retainer clip, so parents may try to tape it shut...which of course isn't safe. Have you come up with a safe solution? Etc...

Or are there any new seats or (approved) products you've found helpful? For example, is the harness retainer clip on the "such and such" seat hard to unbuckle?

I don't have children of my own, so my experience is limited to 'textbook' and things I've seen/heard at seat checks....but I know there's a wealth of experience and knowledge here on this board.

Also, if anyone has any photos of anything like: children 'escaping' from seats, crazy seat alterations/contraptions you've seen, etc.. that they'd be willing to share, I can't even tell you how appreciative I'd be. I don't have any nieces/nephews/children of my own, so I'm kind of stuck. Of course, I'm happy to block out faces, give credit, etc.

Thank you so much!!!!!!! :bow:
 
ADS

soph's mom

New member
Also, I've been told to tell older kids to tell their friends that their parents want them to be as safe as possible so they got them the big kid seats and also say they're cool and comfortable...
 

Athena

Well-known member
I hear stories of older kids being embarrassed, but have yet to experience that with my (yes, she's still harnessed) first grader. I think a lot of it stems from parental attitudes, so if we can teach the parents ... also, having a seat they like with cool cup holders helps. I emphasize how comfy and special their seats are and my kids love them. My DD likes feeling safe and will even point out (to me) when another first grader isn't.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
I explain to my kids why they need a booster. I teach the "Boosters are for Big Kids" curriculum, basically, lol. One was asked once why she used a booster seat. She explained that if she didn't, she could get hurt or killed in a crash. Her friend ended up asking her mom to put her booster seat back in the car... Teaching kids the WHY can really help empower them to insist on riding safely in the car.

I believe BAFBK is clinically proven effective, actually, if you email Stephanie Tombrello she'd probably be able to give you more info on that.
 

nannykates

New member
For my cousin, when she asked why she needed a booster I told her to make a grown up seatbelt fit someone who is not quite grown up. I also put her in her booster and pulled the lap portion of the seatbelt very tight and asked her how much it hurt (she said barely). Then I made her sit on the vehicle seat and buckled her (with intentionally high lap belt) and pulled it tight again and asked if it hurt again (she said much more). Then I explained that a car crash will squish your insides much more than I did, so much they might not even work right anymore! I also like to show kids the 5 step test, that way they know what the end goal is.

Hope that helped!
 

ShumNum

Senior Community Member
Those are great suggestions. Being able to tell anecdotes really helps convey the message. And thanks for the reminder about BAFBK! I had forgotten about that. I'll email Stephanie. Thanks everyone!
 

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