It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: you’re somewhere busy, you look around, and your child is nowhere to be seen. The good news is that a few minutes of practice at home can make all the difference if it ever happens to your family. This short video walks through 4 simple things to teach your child if they get lost — easy to remember, easy to practise, and genuinely useful.
In the video, NBC investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen — a parent himself — explains exactly what to teach your child to do if they become separated from you in a public place. The advice isn’t meant to frighten children; it’s meant to prepare them, calmly and confidently, for a moment that can happen to any family in a crowded shop, park, or event.
Practical Tips for Your Child if They Get Lost
Here are the 4 key things to teach your child.
#1. Stay Near Where You Got Lost
Talk to your child about staying close to the spot where they first realised they were separated from you. It’s tempting for a lost child to wander further looking for you, but staying put makes it far easier for you to retrace your steps and find them.
#2. Look for Another Parent
Teach your child to look for another parent — ideally a mum or dad with children of their own — and tell them they’re lost. Other parents are usually the safest and quickest people to ask for help in a public place.
#3. Memorise Vital Info
Make sure your child can say your full name, recite a phone number, and tell someone their home address. This information is what helps another adult or a member of staff reunite you quickly.
#4. Practice Every Night
Like any skill, this one needs repetition. Keep talking it through with your child every night until you’re confident they know their key information by heart and understand what to do.
A Few Minutes That Are Worth It
None of this is about scaring your child — it’s about giving them a clear, calm plan so that if the moment ever comes, they know exactly what to do. A quick chat at bedtime a few times a week is all it takes to build that confidence.
FAQs
What age should I start teaching my child what to do if they get lost?
Most parents start introducing these ideas from around age 3–4, once a child can talk in simple sentences. Keep the conversation light and age-appropriate, and build on it as they grow.
What’s the most important thing for my child to remember?
Staying in one place and finding another parent to ask for help are the two most useful first steps — everything else follows from there.
How often should we practise this?
A little and often works best. A quick run-through a few evenings a week helps the information stick without it feeling like a big, scary lesson.
You May Also Enjoy
Save This for Later
Want to come back to this one before your next family day out? Bookmark or save this article, and browse our other family safety tips for more simple, practical ideas.
Get More Ideas Like This
Don’t miss our best content — sign up for our free newsletter and get fun ideas, family-friendly recipes, expert parenting advice, and great competitions straight to your inbox. Sign up now.
—
