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Child Pedestrian Training

Portsmouth City Council is committed to reducing child casualties.  As part of this commitment we recognise the importance of early practical experience.  As such, we offer a child pedestrian training programme that is designed to grow with the children and follow them through their school lives.  The ultimate aim is to continually reinforce the lessons learnt early in children's school lives and hopefully, equip them for future independent travel. 'Small Steps' is the first of our child pedestrian training programmes which is aimed at year 1 pupils (aged 5 and 6), the second stage 'Bigger Steps' is aimed at year 2 to 3 children in transition between infant and junior school.  Stepping On is the third stage and is aimed at those children leaving primary education and beginning secondary school.

Small Steps attempts to instil the basics in the children:

• holding hands and pavement safety
• identifying safer places to cross
• Stop, Look, Listen
• crossing safely between parked cars

Bigger Steps revisits these skills and in addition covers:

• basic junctions (e.g. T junctions),
• complex junctions (e.g. staggered junctions)
• added hazards
• light controlled crossings

Stepping On addresses issues associated with independent travel, usually to secondary school, sometimes for the first time on their own and covers such things as:

• pavement behaviour
• identifying and choosing safer routes
• cycling safely
• personal safety when travelling

If you would like further information relating to the child pedestrian training scheme please contact Jayne Rodgers on 023 9284 1513 or e-mail: roadsafety@portsmouthcc.gov.uk