Tips to Teach Toddlers In Case they Get Lost in a Mall

"Oh no!!! Where is Terry??" You start to have hundreds of thoughts running through your head as you search frantically for your toddler. You chide yourself for being too engrossed in the display on the shelve to notice that your toddler is no longer within your sight.

You run around the store shouting his name hoping that he would hear and answer you. "I'm here mummy!!" Getting no response you alert the shop assistant that your child is missing and they immediately launch into a search for your child. Your heart skips a beat and you start to sweat as you try to think the most likely place he would be in the store -" the toy department.

As you race over to the toy department you hear your name announced over the broadcast system for you to approach the front desk and your mobile phone rings. You answer and heave a sigh of relieve when you hear your child's voice on the other end of the line.

When you reach the front desk you are reunited with your child and you are glad that all is well. You thank the store assistants for their help and am glad that your child remembered what to do if he got lost.

This scenario has a happy ending to it but it may not be the case all the time. As a parent I feel that it is important to brief our child on what to do if he gets lost while out shopping with us.

It is important for a child to be taught to recite his name, the name of his parents or a caregiver's name. He should also know his home address and contact numbers

If the child is still very young or not able to verbalise well it is advisable for them to wear colourful wristlets or ID tags with your name and contact number on it.

I have taught my elder child to recite and spell out his and my name, our address, my mobile number and our car plate number since he was 2yrs old. I also specifically told him when he is out with me he needs to stay close and hold my hand when in busy places. However sometimes this information falls on deaf ears , especially when he is attracted by the colourful captivating Thomas the train toys over at the toy department.

If he is suddenly finds that he is unable to see me he should