Child pedestrian training

Kerbcraft

Kerbcraft has been running successfully in a number of schools in Merthyr Tydfil since September 2002 and has been very well received by participating schools.

The scheme is currently funded by the Welsh Government and urns for a maximum of 12 consecutive weeks at each school.

Kerbcraft teaches children aged from 5-7 how to be safer pedestrians by taking them onto real roads and showing them how the right decision-making and behaviour can really help them to keep safe.

The children are taken out of school by trained volunteers, in groups of not more than three, to learn three main skills:

1. Choosing Safe Places and Routes to Cross the Road

Children are helped to recognise dangers and hazards and identify alternative crossing places.

2. Crossing Safely at Parked Cars

Children are taught how to use a safe strategy for crossing near parked cars - when avoiding them is impossible.

3. Crossing Safely Near Junctions

Children are introduced to the problems of simple and complex junctions, and taught a strategy for looking systematically in all directions.

Each skill is practised at several different locations over a period of 4-6 weeks, in liaison with the school and its timetable.

If you are a parent, teacher or school governor and want to find out about starting Kerbcraft in your school, please contact the Child Pedestrian Co-ordinator.