<![CDATA[At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own?]]>

Www:
How to teach kid about looking out in car parks? Need to go through open air car park to reach bus stop.

Walk with them a few times pointing out the danger spots and things to watch out for. You could also recommend the safest route. Then let them do it a few times while you stand aside and watch. You may need to do it several times to make sure the lesson sinks in.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/84847/at-what-age-do-you-allow-your-kids-to-go-out-on-their-ownRSS for NodeTue, 21 Apr 2026 21:16:02 GMTFri, 25 Dec 2015 08:57:53 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Fri, 25 Dec 2015 05:24:58 GMT]]>How to teach kid about looking out in car parks? Need to go through open air car park to reach bus stop.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618694https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618694Fri, 25 Dec 2015 05:24:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Thu, 24 Dec 2015 03:05:22 GMT]]>Hi fellow parents,


I am in my final year at a local university. I am currently doing a research project on road users' behaviour within school zones. This is relevant for primary school children who are travelling alone to school as well as with their parents!

The purpose of this research project is to analyse road safety levels within school zones whereby the children's safety will be the main focus.

As part of the research project, I would like to know your thoughts about children mobility and safety levels within school zones. Your responses will be kept confidential and the survey is anonymous.

Here is the link of the online survey, which takes less than 5 minutes to fill up.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCHVKYS

Your help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!

Should any parents have any queries or like to know more about this project, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me which is given within the link!

Warmest regards,
ZH

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618278https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618278Thu, 24 Dec 2015 03:05:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:26:33 GMT]]>My children started going for enrichment lessons on their own at a nearby shopping mall when they were in P2 & P3.


My MIL wasn't happy about it citing that they were too young! :rant:

In the beginning, we kept looking out of the windows, heart would start to beat fast when they took longer than expected time to reach home. But I guess as parents, the difficult part is learning to let go at some point.

Ultimately, my two girls are still young so if they have make-up lessons till late in the evening (dangerous at night), my hubby will still walk them back.

Next is to teach them how to take MRT back on their own from their primary schools (CCAs on different days).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615973https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615973Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:26:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:33:42 GMT]]>For going to school, my kids does that when they are P1~P2. It's either a 10 mins walk or 2 bus stops..


Thanks to distance priority. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615366https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615366Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:33:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:30:28 GMT]]>DS started going to school by taking public transport by himself from P4 term4 . There is a zebra crossing that he has to take that i worry about, cars tend to be in a hurry, but I have observed he does go \"properly\"


He has started coming back home by himself too since P5 term4. I worry more for the return because 2-3 of his friends come along too. I am afraid of them being too playful with company.

But Ds is getting more independent and is quite good with routes and reading maps. Just last week he wanted to go for this camp by himself ,but I refused to let him, he was like \"why are you guys so protective?\" While i feel he has matured, still worry about sending him on MRT alone, even if he has travelled that route a few times. My instinct feels that he is ready and I should loosen the reins and build his independence , but but he is just going to start P6 :nailbite:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615302https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615302Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:30:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:04:35 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:


Then I guess it's down to the individual's judgement call...I'm sure we had been through this before and never had to wait the whole day.
Guess it's just individual's preference.

I do not want them to waste 30mins waiting when there are other viable options.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615297https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615297Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:04:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:38:12 GMT]]>

limlim:
Nebbermind:


You can always tell them to stay where they are if it's raining heavily unless they are rushing from one class to another.

if it rain for the whole day......?

Not practical to wait. Since there's an alternative route, might as well.

Then I guess it's down to the individual's judgement call...I'm sure we had been through this before and never had to wait the whole day.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615218https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615218Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:38:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:23:36 GMT]]>My 14 year old is very "directional savvy". He can remember routes that he used only once and can also figure out how to go to places by studying the map. As he has been coming back punctually, I am comfortable to let him go out with his friends as long as I know who he is with and if he asked permission in advance. He has been going to tuition classes by bus on his own since P6. Just a few days ago, I also asked him to bring DS2 to Orchard for his piano exam as I could not make it.


DS2 (11), however , is quite pampered with us bringing him everywhere. He is very kiddy like, I do not think he is ready to go out alone but will have to start training him to take public transport on his own.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615199https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615199Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:23:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:45:15 GMT]]>DD is 14 and recently started going to the library on her own. She is constantly reminded to

1. Wear proper attire when going out. No short shorts.
2. Be careful and pay attention while on the road. No headphones on the road.
3. Never assume that it is alright and safe to cross the road just because she has the right of way. Beware of errant motorists / motorcyclists.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615195https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615195Tue, 15 Dec 2015 12:45:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:54:25 GMT]]>

TheStudent:
I feel that the most dangerous for children is when they are crossing the road, the roads are always unpredictable. So, if there is one thing that holds me back from letting my child go out alone, it would be crossing the road.

same here. my worry would be the motorists dashing past red lights.
a friend of mine almost had a fatal accident because of this.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615107https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615107Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:54:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:51:18 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:

You can always tell them to stay where they are if it's raining heavily unless they are rushing from one class to another.
if it rain for the whole day......?

Not practical to wait. Since there's an alternative route, might as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615105https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615105Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:51:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:45:51 GMT]]>

TheStudent:
Singapore is safe enough (low crime rates). However, are crossing roads the most dangerous for primary school students when they travel alone, or would it be other factors?


I feel that the most dangerous for children is when they are crossing the road, the roads are always unpredictable. So, if there is one thing that holds me back from letting my child go out alone, it would be crossing the road.
There are almost always pedestrian crossings of various types that they can use, so the main thing is to teach them to use them properly, to be careful etc. Some kids are less obedient when out of the parents' sight, and those will need more supervision. If the child is the obedient and well-disciplined type, crossing roads would not be my main concern.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615056https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615056Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:45:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:38:44 GMT]]>Singapore is safe enough (low crime rates). However, are crossing roads the most dangerous for primary school students when they travel alone, or would it be other factors?


I feel that the most dangerous for children is when they are crossing the road, the roads are always unpredictable. So, if there is one thing that holds me back from letting my child go out alone, it would be crossing the road.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615055https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615055Tue, 15 Dec 2015 04:38:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 03:52:44 GMT]]>my 13 year old is able to go to school on his own and mum’s place…the walkway to mum’s place is simple after alighting at the bus stop…that one must train up to be street smart, but i won’t dare to allow my petite daughter (11 year old) to go out on her own just yet.


when we were at PS yesterday, daughter saw 2 of her classmates there. i was like, ‘wow, already out on their own?’ my daughter told me some of her friends go to Junction 8 after school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615044https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615044Tue, 15 Dec 2015 03:52:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:33:53 GMT]]>

limlim:
Normally I would let my P4, P5 kid go for class at the CC on their own. They would take a bus there and walk back or take a bus (need to cross the road).


Last weekend, weather was quite wet. On the way there, there's only short distance from the CC to the bus stop that is not sheltered. But for the way back, they would need to cross the road twice (at the CC side and my place side).

I was worried that there might be heavy rain when they are on their way back. So I told them that if the rain is heavy, take the alternative route, which is to take the bus from the bus stop that they alight (short walking distance), alight 1 bus stop later at the MRT station. Take the MRT towards the east direction and alight one stop later, then take a bus and alight one stop later, at the bus stop where they board the bus when they go for the lesson.

Then the P5 told me don't know how to take MRT.....

Guess I need to conduct MRT training for them soon..
You can always tell them to stay where they are if it's raining heavily unless they are rushing from one class to another.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615017https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615017Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:33:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:22:01 GMT]]>

Mummy AY:
Yes, children at the kindergarten are expected to feed themselves lunch (i.e. from age 3) ... at age 6, they would be finishing kindergarten and starting P1, where they would have to eat school lunches ... everyday lunch is cooked at school and eaten by all teachers and students ... I've had the chance to eat school lunch ~ a lot of effort goes into planning each meal, and the one I ate wasn't so bad ... 😄

I really wonder how Japanese mothers are not the least worried about letting their very young children walk the streets alone though ... :roll:
Culture, social climate and traditionally low crime rate makes that the norm and creates a sense of safety and complacency. It is not that japanese mothers can let go, but that in most parts of japan, the environment is such that kids are quite safe on the streets and on public transport. If you can trust people to queue up and not push little kids about, the bus drivers to be careful and wait for the child to board carefully, there is a certain ease to allowing young kids to take public transport by themselves.

The same mothers may feel differently in a different place.

There are exceptions. I have seen signs saying \"look out for perverts\" along routes taken by kindergarteners and teachers walking with them to a certain point before they go their separate ways. The crime rate, while low, is going up and the social fabric is changing. Various factors to take into account.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615013https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615013Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:22:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:53:07 GMT]]>Normally I would let my P4, P5 kid go for class at the CC on their own. They would take a bus there and walk back or take a bus (need to cross the road).


Last weekend, weather was quite wet. On the way there, there’s only short distance from the CC to the bus stop that is not sheltered. But for the way back, they would need to cross the road twice (at the CC side and my place side).

I was worried that there might be heavy rain when they are on their way back. So I told them that if the rain is heavy, take the alternative route, which is to take the bus from the bus stop that they alight (short walking distance), alight 1 bus stop later at the MRT station. Take the MRT towards the east direction and alight one stop later, then take a bus and alight one stop later, at the bus stop where they board the bus when they go for the lesson.

Then the P5 told me don’t know how to take MRT…

Guess I need to conduct MRT training for them soon…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615008https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615008Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:53:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:44:23 GMT]]>

limlim:
Just curious.


At what age is your kids independent enough to make their way around nearby places using public transport (bus/MRT)?

Excluding School.

Say, making their way to enrichment classes etc.. What is your kid's age when you trust they are independent enough to make the trip on their own?
How is going to school different from going to enrichment classes?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615007https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1615007Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:44:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:37:22 GMT]]>I allow dd to start moving around for her enrichment classes from P4 onwards. Her dance training was getting too intensive and there was no way for me to take leaves every time she has her practices.

Now she is in P5, she accompanies her P3 sister to class every week. I know many of her dance mates do that as well, many goes about taking buses to and fro from classes from P3 onwards.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614991https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614991Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:37:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:58:03 GMT]]>Yes, my Japanese friend say P1! For me in Singapore would be sec 1.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614853https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614853Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:58:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:38:35 GMT]]>Yes, children at the kindergarten are expected to feed themselves lunch (i.e. from age 3) ... at age 6, they would be finishing kindergarten and starting P1, where they would have to eat school lunches ... everyday lunch is cooked at school and eaten by all teachers and students ... I've had the chance to eat school lunch ~ a lot of effort goes into planning each meal, and the one I ate wasn't so bad ... 😄

I really wonder how Japanese mothers are not the least worried about letting their very young children walk the streets alone though ... :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614848https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614848Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:38:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:21:35 GMT]]>In Japan where I live, children are expected to go to school on their own by public transport from P1! If accompanied by parents, the child and his or her parents will hear unfavorable comments from the form teacher … hahaha …


Anyway, I’ll be back in SG soon … think it’s fine to let my 12 year old son run about by himself if it’s around familiar places, as long as he has a phone with him …

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614761https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614761Mon, 14 Dec 2015 02:21:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to At what age do you allow your kids to go out on their own? on Mon, 14 Dec 2015 01:22:23 GMT]]>I think for me, I will let my kids go out on their own at about sec 1…also depending on how savvy they are.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614742https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1614742Mon, 14 Dec 2015 01:22:23 GMT