Children in their early years are hard to keep track of and keep safe, and that’s on a good day. You may lose track of them or be out of diapers. That’s why you should teach them these important skills to give yourself a peace of mind

Potty Training

While the time it takes to teach your child to use a toilet can vary per child, PennState Extension explains that there are signs to look out for indicating when a child is ready. Some of these include staying dry for at least two hours throughout the day, and being aware of when they are urinating or having a bowel movement. The peace of mind from potty training is worth the trouble, as children left in diapers too long can develop rashes that pain them for days afterward. You won’t have to worry about carrying around diapers anymore, either. Instead, you’ll maybe need to bring an extra pair of underwear or a roll of toilet paper.

Swimming Skills

If your child falls into a body of water, you will feel much less panic if you’ve already taught them to swim. Children who know how to swim can keep themselves afloat while you try to reach them. They can also have fun with older children because they’ll know how to move in the water. According to SwimJim, children don’t automatically know how to swim, so it’s important they learn skills in a class setting. Your child’s teacher can give you guidance on the proper swimming techniques they should learn. If your child is afraid of getting into the water, a swimming class can encourage them to be less afraid. Your child can also make new friends.

Being Lost

Many children in their early childhood get lost and, according to Kid Pillar, 500,000 children go missing every year. However, you can still teach your child how to be safe if and when they get lost. First, teach them to freeze and not start looking for you. Practice with them beforehand on calling for you by your real name and, if needed, how to identify safe people to ask for help. If they’re old enough, you can help them memorize your phone number, or otherwise put your number on their person. With these measures you’ll feel much more at peace taking your child out in public if you know, should you be separated, they have the skills to stay safe until you find them.

Children’s brains are constantly growing and developing. Even if you don’t think your child is teachable yet in some areas, you should start early in helping them learn valuable skills. Their brains can retain more information than you think!