Situational Awareness and Children

[MLC]

After a cursory search of the forums, I didn't find anything, so I apologize if I missed it...

We all know that we're supposed to be situationally aware at all times.  I didn't grow up learning about this stuff, and decided to teach my daughter early.  Obviously, I don't want to make her a paranoid nutjob, so we play "the observation game."  When we're driving around, I'll ask her questions about buildings we've passed(after she closes her eyes), the color of a car, that sort of thing.  Occasionally I'll ask her about people we pass in the mall(physical description stuff), or storefronts.  She asks me about things we see as well, and we have some fun with it.

Does anybody else make nonthreatening games out of that kind of thing with their kids?  Is there a better way to crack the nut of teaching kids to be aware of their surroundings with out freaking them out?

[shooter32]

After a cursory search of the forums, I didn't find anything, so I apologize if I missed it...

We all know that we're supposed to be situationally aware at all times.  I didn't grow up learning about this stuff, and decided to teach my daughter early.  Obviously, I don't want to make her a paranoid nutjob, so we play "the observation game."  When we're driving around, I'll ask her questions about buildings we've passed(after she closes her eyes), the color of a car, that sort of thing.  Occasionally I'll ask her about people we pass in the mall(physical description stuff), or storefronts.  She asks me about things we see as well, and we have some fun with it.

Does anybody else make nonthreatening games out of that kind of thing with their kids?  Is there a better way to crack the nut of teaching kids to be aware of their surroundings with out freaking them out?

We used to do that kinda game thing with my three boys. They are adults now and have said to me at one time or another, they are more aware because of those games. In the car was were we started, but can be done anywhere. I think it's a great way for childern to get started at being aware.

Well done MLC

[Frisco]

Oh you bet.  We play "I Spy" a lot too.  This way, it gives her lessons in being descriptive, and extrapolating from descriptions she is given.