If you are able begin by taking the children on a walkabout so that they can observe road
signs and how traffic and pedestrians respond to these signs. Try to get them to visualise
where accidents might be likely to occur by asking What if? questions. Back in the
classroom have some road signs ready for them to look at and a road safety booklet.

• Why do we need road signs?
• What do they tell us to do?

Use individual examples and ask the children about what each one tells us to do.

• Which ones did we see on our walk this morning?
• Which ones do you see on the way to school?

• What might happen if we did not have road signs?
• Do you know anyone who has had an accident on the road?
• Why did it happen?
• What happens to people after an accident?
• If you could be a road sign which would you choose? You could even make one up. Paint your Tabard carefully so
  that people will know which sign you are.
• When your Tabard is dry, wear it. Stand in a large space and make sure that other people and vehicles obey your sign.
  Someone is going to have an accident. Be prepared. How will you feel? What will you do?

Meeting curriculum requirements:

This activity encourages children to be more aware that all road users need to take care and that they should read
signs carefully. It uses skills of language and literacy, observation, recollection, imagination and empathy.

Tips for Painting:

It is a good idea to sketch the design out in pencil before painting
Tabards must be kept flat when they are being painted
Have different brush sizes available
You could also use thick water-based marker pens
Encourage the children to make bold strokes
If using paint keep one set of brushes for each colour
If things go wrong, wipe out with a damp cloth

Useful Reference:

Pictures and models of road signs and a road safety booklet and poster. Your community policeman or woman could be involved in this activity.

What you will need:

Tabards, pencils, paints, paint trays, thick water-based marker pens, water jars, paper towels, rags and brushes.

Activity 0017 Driving what? Driving how?