14 November 2011

Kindy children throughout Auckland will be safer and healthier on our roads following Kindergarten Awareness Week 2011 (14-18 November).

Auckland Kindergarten Association General Manager, Tanya Harvey says “If we can reduce the number of preschool children who are injured or killed in road safety related accidents and also encourage families to walk with their child to kindy, we will not only have safer but healthier communities too.”

“The risk of such accidents increases over summer because the warmer temperatures mean there are more children playing outside so it is even more imperative that our children learn the importance of keeping safe on the road side, while walking, in driveways and in the car.”

A range of fantastic activities have been planned for the week, including learning the road safety haka, children building pedestrian crossings in the kindergarten playground to practice being a safe pedestrian, participation in Puppet Road Safety Shows, issuing licenses for the safe use of trolleys/bikes/scooters, fancy feet days and free helmet check clinics.

“Auckland Transport have been a vital part in the preparation of Awareness Week and we are grateful for their amazing support a contribution to the week. Together we look forward to making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders”, says Tanya Harvey.

Auckland Transport Community Transport Manager, Matthew Rednall says “It is great to see kindergartens focusing on road safety, as it is critical that children learn these skills early. Changing behaviour of children and parents requires creative solutions that are safe and fun. This type of education can and really does save lives.”

Kindergarten Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity for kindergartens to share the great work that they do with the wider community. This year kindergartens can continue to do this and at the same time, build on their existing health and safety programme with specific road safety goals in mind.

With 107 kindergartens, four all-day early learning centres, and up to 12,000 children attending every year, the Auckland Kindergarten Association is today New Zealand’s largest education provider outside of tertiary institutions.

http://www.aka.org.nz

ENDS

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