Pedestrians and Drivers Switch Roles

Half the group are drivers on tricycles, balance bikes or with a hoop, and the other half are pedestrians crossing the street at painted crosswalks; then they switch. It's about respecting each other on the street and controlling movement to stop in time.

How to play

1. The teacher has drawn a looping street with three crosswalks and sidewalks around it (1 min).
2. Explain both roles: drivers always stop if a pedestrian is waiting; pedestrians cross only at the crosswalk and once the car has stopped (2 min).
3. Round one: half drive and half walk on the sidewalk, crossing at the crosswalks whenever they like (4 min).
4. Pause and talk: Who stopped well? Who looked before crossing? (1 min).
5. Switch roles: pedestrians become drivers and drivers become pedestrians (4 min).
6. Park the vehicles and gather on the sidewalk (2 min).

Rules

• Pedestrians cross only at the crosswalk.
• Pedestrians look and wait for the car to stop.
• Drivers always stop at the crosswalk if someone is there.
• No running in the street.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can drive on the wide street or be a pedestrian with a wider crosswalk.
• Visual impairment: the child always crosses holding hands with a buddy.
• Autism: start as a pedestrian, the more predictable role, with an adult nearby.

Learning goals

• Give pedestrians the right of way.
• Stop and start with control.
• Learn safe behavior as a pedestrian and as a driver.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Tricycles: 6
• Balance bikes: 4
• Helmets: 10
• Sidewalk chalk: 6
• Hoops: 15

Teacher tip

Stand by the busiest crosswalk for the first rounds. The classic slip is a pedestrian dashing across without looking: exaggerate the look-both-ways head turn yourself.

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