Does fear strike your heart when your teen shows an inclination for driving? Well, as a parent it is natural to have this unknown fear of allowing your teen behind the wheel. The first thing to remember is that you should not discourage your teen.
However, there are certain things that you should know before you attempt to teach your child to drive. You need to be aware of the basic rules to attain success.
Plan Ahead
If you plan to teach your teen to drive in a specific area, then you should have detailed knowledge about the area. At the same time, it is crucial that you should educate your teen about the particular area.
Location matters because you do not want to put your safety or the safety of passersby on the line. Ideally, you should take your child to a large, empty parking lot so that you can teach without fear.
As a parent, you should be aware of the skills of your teen. You should have the necessary awareness about your child’s weak areas, and you must plan to work on those areas so that your teenager will become a skilled driver.
You need to plan the practice time ahead as well. Try to restrict the practice sessions to about 15 to 20 minutes when your teenager is in the initial learning phase.
Avoid Negativity
As you sit in the car with your teenager to teach driving, know ahead of time that your child will make some mistakes. Don’t get upset. Avoid negative comments: this will make your teenager less confident.
Give Clear Instructions
Give specific instructions, keeping in mind that your teen is behind the wheel for the first time. If your instructions are clear, then your teenager will be able to follow them without an issue. The best approach towards teaching is to ask questions of your child to get a clear idea about his or her understanding.
For example, ask him about the speed limit. This approach will give you an idea about the learning curve of your teen. Go slow with your instructions. For example, initially, you should focus on teaching your child to start, stop or turn the car.
Remain Alert
The most important thing to do is remain alert when your teenager drives. You need to be attentive to all four sides of your vehicle.
It is also vital that you set a good example. It is mandatory that you should follow good driving practices yourself so that your teenager understands that good driving practices need to be followed.
Last but not least, have a look at Car-Buying-Strategies.com to be aware of how to keep your teenager safe during driving. These guidelines matter and your awareness will buy you peace of mind.
Image Credits: Drive from Pushish Images/Shutterstock