TRAFFIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH A TABLETOP MODEL

An experiment was carried out to investigate 6-year olds ability to learn traffic safe behaviour by the use of a tabletop model. The main purpose of the training was to teach the children to look for safe spots to cross the road. Children from two schools in Norway (92 children all in all) were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. Only the experimental group received training by use of the tabletop model; the control group received no such training. Both groups were tested (before-and-after-test) on a predefined route in the road traffic environment close to their school in order to determine the solutions they chose when they had to walk from one place to another (cross a road). The study also tested whether geographical location (urban/semi-urban) had any influence on knowledge acquisition. Data analysis showed that the training was effective in the urban school, but not in the semi-urban setting.