Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Albuquerque, NM

I love the Little Critter series of books by Mercer Mayer. They are simple stories that both kids and adults can relate to.  One that I really enjoy reading to my son is Just Lost.   Just Lost is about Little Critter getting lost the mall.  Being separated from their child in a busy place is every parent's fear, and it's important to teach children what to do in such situations.  This book provides a good opportunity for me and my son to informally talk about what he should do if he gets lost somewhere.  In the book, after he discovers that "his mom is lost", Little Critter heads to the toy store.  When he is greeted by a store employee, he tells her that he doesn't know where his mom is.  He goes with a security guard and stays in the security office while another officer finds his mom.  And of course, there's a happy ending!

It's certainly not something a parent wants to think about, but being prepared should your child suddenly disappear is important.  According to the Albuquerque Police Department's website, when a child goes missing the search can sometimes be difficult due to a lack of a current and accurate description of the child.  To aid in the search, parents are advised to keep a current child ID card on hand for each of their children.  Where can you get one?  Visit any APD substation and you can fill out an information card.  Be sure to have your child with you so their fingerprint can be added to the card.  Then, when you get home, add a current picture.  APD recommends that the card be updated with a new photo every two to three years.

If you are interested, APD provides child safety presentations for  adult community groups  as well as  the McGruff Safety Program for children.  For more information on those presentation, and for more information on the child ID cards, visit APD's child safety page.