Curriculum06

=Curriculum 0-6 years old=

Description of the target group.
This target group is especially vulnerable when taking part in traffic, even if they always do it accompanied by an older person. We also have to consider that this group is very heterogeneous: even if it is only a difference of six years, at this age the difference between them is enormous. In order to write the needs of this particular target group, we have to take into account several aspects: At this age, children are considered to have a lower level of attention, their vision and hearing are developed but they do not understand the meaning of many signals from the surrounding. They are not able to identify danger. Moreover, they are often impulsive, they do not have the skills of thinking in the pragmatic way, so frequently, they are acting before thinking. Although the view of a child as someone immature might be old fashioned, it is true that they have some limitations. But, of course, we also have to consider that they unknown the rules, so they could be imprudent.

According to those aspects, we need to pay special attention in specific issues in order to give children the skills and techniques to make a simple analysis of the traffic situation they could encounter, in order to make them act accordingly. That is the reason because this curricula has been developed. First of all, we have to take into account that children need to develop psychological and motor habits related to the sense of space, but this goes together with children´ s necessity to know certain rules that regulate the social order which seem very distant to them (because the child is living a stage of ego-centrism and moral realism).

The aim of an education for this group would include not only the essential skills and knowledge needed in order to maintain children´ s safety, but also a preparation for them as future traffic´ s users when they grow up (as pedestrians, riding bicycles and so on). We also need to develop a habit in the child in order to create a sense of traffic, children must be aware that they have to be very careful on the street and the surroundings and that traffic so indispensable for life can be also danger. Children at this age have very receptive minds and they want to learn. The only condition of effective learning is to find an appropriate form. The best method for children is by playing.

Goals of the Curriculum
To teach traffic education to the age group concerned, these goals of the curriculum have to be considered:
 * 1) Knowledge of the surroundings: Observing the family, the house, the street and vehicles. Acquire progressively autonomy in everyday activities.
 * 2) Knowledge of vehicles: Showing them through toys and pictures different kind of vehicles and how they operate.
 * 3) Knowledge of very basic traffic signals: for example, a zebra crossing and a traffic light.
 * 4) Knowledge of person who works with traffic like policemen
 * 5) Knowledge of basic behaviour required on the street and surrounding
 * 6) Importance of examples: Parents giving correct examples about how to behave in different situations concerning traffic. Children copy everything they see, so it is fundamental to show them which is the right way to behave.

Detailed goals relating to the four levels of the GTSE matrix
Knowledge of risks: although they are not always aware of situations and possible risks, trying to teach them in what kind of situations they have to be alert:
 * Goals for life and skills for living**:
 * Knowledge about behavior and aptitudes to follow while being in a motor vehicle.
 * Knowledge about what is being a pedestrian and rules pedestrians have to consider.
 * Knowledge of emergency telephones numbers in case of an accident.

At this age, children are not able to take a decision by themselves yet, so adults must show them the following knowledge little by little:
 * Goals and context of travel (particular route, trip):**
 * Knowledge about the right posture inside the vehicle and the use of sea-belts (by imitating their parents).
 * Knowledge of basic traffic signs in order to cross the road at the right time.
 * To start acquiring the knowledge about what is right and what is wrong in order to maintain the smooth running of traffic.

As we can find all kind of different situations concerning traffic, we must teach children since they are very young that, unfortunately, not everybody follow the traffic rules.
 * Management of traffic situations (particular situation)**:
 * Knowledge of different situations while crossing a crosswalk (vehicles which stop at the right time and place, vehicles which does not stop when they must do it, and so on.)
 * Knowledge of different situations while being inside the vehicle.
 * Knowledge of different situations while riding a bicycle.

At this pre-school age, children have basic to medium control of movements while walking or riding a bike (increasing with age), so they need to learn little by little:
 * Tactile/manual control (particular task)**:
 * Knowledge of the risks caused by a wrong control of the vehicle.
 * Very basic knowledge of the vehicle and its equipment, as well as safety elements available.
 * Knowledge of behaviour in the vehicle: fasten the belt as something obligatory, to close correctly vehicle doors and do not open them during a ride.

Methods
There is almost no theoretical content, apart from short stories and some comments during the carrying out of the activities; Everything is based on a practical approach. Children at that age can get bored very fast so activities must be diverse. The course cannot last to long. Activities must enter children in the themes gradually and smoothly. Practical activities stimulate the awareness of children towards traffic. Activities must be learned in a funny way. Those practical activities can include:
 * Examples
 * "Brainstorming"
 * Role playing
 * Interactive games
 * Drawing
 * Painting
 * Making up stories
 * Competitions
 * Songs
 * Short films
 * Jigsaw puzzle
 * Rhymes

The aim of these is that at the end of the course, the children will have learned new things about traffic:
 * Some basic rules.
 * Behaviour in certain situations.
 * Some new vocabulary.
 * To make children aware about the carefulness in the situations connected with traffic.
 * Awareness of danger on the street.
 * Knowledge of good reactions on traffic signs.

Teaching modules

 * Knowledge of the own body
 * Knowledge of the surroundings
 * 1) The street
 * 2) The area
 * Elements in traffic
 * 1) Persons
 * 2) Vehicles
 * 3) Rules and signs
 * Dangers and how to avoid them