If you are the proud parent of one of those little ones who likes nothing more than racing around the house making ‘vroom, vroom!’ sounds, you may find yourself wondering, “What’s behind all this”? Your child obviously has an interest in the brightest, fastest, loudest thing that occupies his everyday world; the car.
From plastic ride-on cars to high-tech virtual reality driving simulation games, your child is growing up in a world in which driving is entertainment, like it or not.
Today’s automobiles are flashier, faster, and marketed to a younger and younger audience every day.
If this causes you some worry, then you may want to review some of the pointers laid out for you in this article.
First of all, it is important that your child learn the difference between a game and reality. Driving is not a right, it is a responsibility. The sooner your child learns this, the better.
Unfortunately, many video racing games teach children that the worst thing that happens to them if they crash their vehicle is that their game ends early. It is your responsibility to teach your child the realities of mistakes behind the wheel. Your child learns from a variety of sources, some good, and some bad. It is up to you to ensure that responsible driving habits are as much a part of your daily life as driving a vehicle is.
It is never too early to teach a child proper driving habits. Remember, after your child has reached legal driving age, it is realistic to say he will spend much of the rest of his life behind the wheel. Why not start teaching proper driving etiquette beginning with that ride-on car winding its way through your house and yard? Once a child learns right from left, it follows that such basic lessons as right-of-way, stopping for pedestrians (or family pets), and following speed limits are also within his grasp.
Penalties may be given as well as rewards. A speeding ticket may be paid with real consequences, such as time out, or suspension of TV privileges. What an interesting game for your child to play- and a game which will teach him good habits from the start.
After all, our society teaches children that nothing else but the loudest, fastest, brightest car will do. Video games allow them to select turbo-charged engines, encased in chassis which are better suited to aircraft than midday traffic. Indeed, our video games would have children believing that their cars actually do fly, and float and most importantly, out-pace every other car on the road. So, when your seventeen-year-old daughter climbs into her used compact car, she believes by this time, that her car can do all that she’s been taught it can do. That is, of course, unless responsible parenting shows her another way-reality. Without reality, too many of our young drivers are falling victim to injuries or worse behind the wheel. Overconfidence is the worst of all vices when it comes to operating a motor vehicle.
So, when Junior comes tearing through your den on her new hot pink plastic sports car, instead of chasing her outside, take a moment to sit down and play a game called, ‘Driving’. When you go shopping, let your little guy observe how you use your mirrors to maneuver around a parking lot. Instead of losing your temper while driving, let your child observe how an adult handles themselves behind the wheel. When your child wants to play a driving game, play along. Encourage safe driving, not speed. Try and find games that depict a more realistic view of driving. Stay involved in your child’s education. Remember, we are their greatest teachers.
