Take Time To Do Things Correctly

Here are examples of some of the verbal exchanges I have with my students almost daily:

Exchange #1

“You forgot to buckle your seat belt.”

“Sorry, my bad!”

Exchange # 2

“Did you check your blind spot before making that lane change?”

“Oops! Forgot!”

“Good thing I was checking.”

Exchange #3

“You really ought to shift to park before attempting to exit the car.”

“Oh, Oh!

I see kids neglect small, easily performed tasks ever day. Sometimes they forget to adjust the mirrors. Sometimes they forget to signal a turn. It’s always something.

When I call them on these errors some laugh and say I’m being too picky. They think their omissions are piddling and forgivable. When I make them practice the same maneuvers over and over again some complain it’s boring.

Yeah, the little things we’re supposed to do to ensure our safety are quick, easy, and boring. That does not mean they are unimportant. Repetition is the mother of learning. Repeated practice of the correct procedures ensures that the kids do the right things automatically without taking too much time to think them over.

Sometimes there’s no time to think. Sometimes you can get more time if you take time to think. If you don’t believe me, ask the Foreman family.