Tips for getting children into car restraints

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 661, 5 November 1996, Page 10

Tips for getting children into car restraints

And keeping them happy once they're there!

A parents' attitude toward the car restraint is crucial, says Waimarino Plunket. "A child who has been restrained in a car seat from his or her first ride will accept this as the normal method of travelling," states Plunket. Difficulties can occur when children have been used to travelling unrestrained or when a rebellious stage of development is reached. Tips to help overcome resistance to the car restraint include: • Introduce the restraint in a cairn, matter-of-fact manner from the first ride. Make it clear from the beginning that the car will not be started until everyone is safely restrained. • Allow the child to touch the restraint and look over it thoroughly. Let them try it out in the house first. • Point out that it is the child' s own special seat and that it helps them to see out of the window. Some children enjoy the idea that race drivers, pilots and astronauts all wear harnesses and sit in a special seat. • Give frequent praise for appropriate behaviour. Try to ignore begging, -yelling or screaming to be released from the restraint - if you give in the child will try it another time. • Begin with short, rather than long car trips. • Parents need to set the right example by wearing seat belts themselves. • If a child undoes the buckle, pull over to a safe place out of the traffic and wait until the child is settled in the seat again before proceeding.

• Sit beside your child in the rear seat to assure him/her you are still on hand. • If going on a long joumey, ensure adequate breaks are made to allow physical activity. Take soft toys and books for the child to play with in the car. Parents can also sing songs and tell stories to distract the child from disruptive behaviour. If there is a cassette player in the car, parents can play tapes or make up a tape of favourite stories for the children to listen to as they travel. • Alternatively, many 3-5 year olds love having a "Walkman" — this means other car occupants can travel in relative peace and quiet! • Where there is concem that the infant will find it dull facing the seat back, a bright picture could be taped to the seat. Dress the child for inside-the-car temperatures so that they are comfortable. • One of the advantages of using car seats is that when there is more than one child, they are physically separated and less likely to bother each other. Adults can drive without the dangerous distraction of children moving around the car.