The road safety lessons in the Toyota Traffic Tots programme, which is one of the three corporate social responsibility pillars of UMW Toyota Motor, concluded recently when the participating Smart Reader Kids centres completed all 5 units of the module.
Toyota Traffic Tots has succeeded in educating pre-school students on road safety education in a fun and simple manner as well as raising awareness among parents and teachers. The programme which engages the students through songs, interactive and fun lessons related to road safety is carried out in collaboration with programme partner Smart Reader Worldwide Sdn. Bhd.
As the programme progressed, it was evident that the teachers and students were happy and comfortable with the implementation of the lessons. Following the conclusion of the lessons, a number of feedbacks were obtained from teachers on their students’ progress and the effectiveness of the programme.
Ms. Goh Chooi Leng from Smart Reader Kids, Jalan Ipoh said, “The children simply enjoyed the lessons particularly when the activities are accompanied by songs”.
Ms. Jaybianca Ancheta Ng whose son John Carlo Ancheta Ng is a student in Smart Reader Kids, Jalan Ipoh believes that road safety education for young children requires a continued edification and that parents play a vital role in it. “John Carlo shared the Toyota Traffic Tots lessons with me at home while doing the worksheets and I must say it was a big eye-opener for me!” She adds “I think that road safety education is best taught young as this helps to instill a positive lifetime value, skills, and knowledge which develops them into safe and responsible individuals.”
The Toyota Traffic Tots programme has had an exhilarating year with various activities carried out. Among others, the Toyota Traffic Tots Carnival was organised in Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur to foster participation of parents and children. The carnival focused on many exciting road safety activities which was an extension of the Toyota Traffic Tots module.
A colouring competition among the programme participants was also organised. This competition is a newly added activity this year which was open to all students. The aim of the competition was to enhance the lessons taught as well as to give prominence to the Toyota Traffic Heroes who are the icons of the programme. It garnered a large participation and the winners were selected based on their colouring skills and neatness. The winning drawings were rewarded with attractive prizes.
“We are happy to note that the Toyota Traffic Tots programme has achieved the objective of educating young children of the dangers on the road and to provide them with the knowledge and skills which will enable them to be safe and responsible road users” states Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
“UMW Toyota Motor as an automotive company feels a strong sense of duty and responsibility in ensuring that road users, especially children are safe when on the road. With the rising number of vehicles on the road, safety has become an issue of concern to many parties especially parents,” added Datuk Ismet Suki.
Following the success of the pilot implementation with just 10 selected centres last year, the programme was extended to all 291 Smart Reader Kids centres nationwide this year and will continue to reach more young children to enhance and shape safe and responsible attitudes and behaviours on the road.
