Look all ways before you cross the street

In close to 40 per cent of all road vehicle deaths among children 5 to 9 years old, the casualty is a pedestrian. Children in this age group start to spend more time as pedestrians, even though their road skills may still be lacking.

Elmer the Safety Elephant has a poem to help children develop a habit that could save their life: to stop, look and listen before they cross the street. Elmer's poem applies not only to roads, but also to railway crossings, parking lots and other areas where there are moving vehicles.

The Canada Safety Council encourages teachers to distribute this poem and create activities that will help their pupils understand why they must look all ways for moving vehicles before crossing. They can colour the picture, put the poem to music, dramatize the hazards of oncoming vehicles - or compose their own ditties for Elmer's other traffic safety rules.

We hope children across Canada will learn, understand and apply Elmer the Safety Elephant's poem.

Press here to download activity sheet.

This activity sheet may be copied for non commercial use only.

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