Utilizing this useful and fun lesson that covers pages 22 to 27, your child will be able to comprehend special events where large crowds may be present, understand safety precautions, and who to trust if an incident occurs (such as a child getting separated from a parent.) Also built into the pictures are lessons of sacrifice and honor for first responders and those that serve in the military.

Primary lessons in this picture:  Information and Understanding

• Preparing your child to attend a special event by discussing the following (pages 22-23)

  • Experiencing a large crowd.

  • Experiencing loud noises associated with particular special events.

  • Dealing with overwhelming mental stimulations associated with a special event.

• Using the buddy system (page 25 Bonnie Sue and Jesse)

• Staying aware of parents (page 25 Rico)

• Identifying First Responders, what each one does, and how to identify their corresponding vehicles (page 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)

  • Police (page 22, 24)

  • Fire Fighters (page 23, 25)

  • Paramedics/Ambulance (not pictured)

  • Event Security (not pictured)

Plans of Action and Reaction:  Child and parent working together:

• Child should know what to do if separated from parents.

  • Stay Calm

  • Find a First Responder

  • Communicate they are lost

    • Identify themselves and who their parents are

      • Possibly make a card with the parent’s name and phone number on it that can be placed in their pocket, or have them memorize that information you compiled from the first lesson in the home information picture located on pages 10-13.

    • Parent should understand the same plan and practice if possible utilizing the pictures of Meow Meow interacting with the Police Officer and Fire Fighters on pages 24-25.

    • Repeated discussions with the child utilizing pages 22-27 about issues they could encounter during a special event will help ensure the child’s ability to communicate with the parent that they are:

      • Too hot or too cold

      • Thirsty

      • Tired

      • Scared

      • Overwhelmed by too much sound

    • Parent should have a plan for each area of concern

      • Small umbrella for shade or extra clothes for warmth

      • Bring fluids

      • Preparations to find rest or leave if needed

      • Prepare to identify a quiet place to decompress the child

      • Consider bringing ear plugs to muffle the sound.

        • Sound can be overwhelming for a child.

Supplemental Activities:

• Arrange to visit a fire house or a police station. A lot of local departments offer tours or meet-and-greets as a way of building a positive community relationship.

• Don’t be afraid to approach a Police Officer or First Responder whenever you see them, even when you aren’t at a special event. Just to say hello…

• Role-play with your child. Take turns being a lost child and a police officer.  This role-playing should also include the plans of action and reaction listed above.

• Page 26 includes Meow Meow wearing the Fire Fighters helmet with the numbers 343 on it. This number represents the number of First Responders that perished on September 11, 2001 as they rushed to rescue the victims in New York City.  When a child is old enough this will be a great lesson on the dedication First Responders have for our safety and why we should trust and respect them.

• On Page 27, Rico is displaying the American Flag. Respect for the American flag is a great lesson you can teach children of all ages which coincides with morals and ethics, giving a great foundation for behavior at home and at a special event.

  • Don’t put the flag on the ground

  • Explain that the stars represent the states of the Republic.

  • The Stripes represent sacrifice

  • The flag is a symbol of freedom

Conclusion:

When you and your child have worked your way through this picture and then repeated it several times in a fun and communicative manner, you and your child will be fully prepared for most real-life special events and incidents that could occur.

As an FBI Special Agent, I was in charge of the Special Events Unit in the FBI’s New York Office.  At many of the events I was present, lost children were located.  None of them had clear information that helped us located the parents, and it was usually the parents locating the police that they were all reconnected.  This is what pushed me to include this picture.  Had those children discussed the possibility of getting lost, they would have had an idea about what to tell First Responders.  – Jonathan T Gilliam