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Background Information: A pilot test for an innovative multi-media educational program on traffic safety has taught to more than 9,000 children in grades K-5 in three Mississippi Counties - Bolivar, Grenada, and Washington during 2006-2007. The program uses two animal characters Snappy® The Adult Safety Turtle, and Snappy® The Baby Safety Turtle. The adult Snappy® mascot is presented in a costume as a police officer, and Snappy®, The Baby Safety Turtle, is presented in a child safety seat that resembles a turtle's shell. Based on feedback from the pilot test, the Snappy® program was re-designed and expanded in the summer or 2007 to target children in grades K-3 and their families. The new and improved program addresses traffic safety, fire and gun safety, issues related to the use of tobacco, alcohol, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Dr. Jerry W. Robinson, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Rural Sociology Emeritus at Delta State University (DSU) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is creator and director of the Snappy program. He is a Mississippi native. Program Goals: The Snappy®, The Safety Turtle
program has six goals: Martin T. King, former Mayor of Cleveland, MS said, "We are delighted that Snappy® was 'born' in Cleveland and we appreciate the local support that is being given to the program. We hope everyone will get behind this program and help it succeed." Interactive Learning Materials: Snappy®, The Safety Turtle program uses a research-based approach to changing opinions, attitudes, values, and behaviors. The focus is on interactive learning activities and games that are fun for children, youths, and adults. Family members become engaged in activities that present and reinforce traffic safety, fire and gun safety, and the use of tobacco or other drugs, from multiple approaches. For example, a CD with 20 traffic safety songs and poems are taught to children and their parents. Many of the tunes were adapted from nursery rhymes that are familiar to the American public. Every child in the program receives a copy of the 40-page activity book and the CD. Children, youths, and adults used activities in the book to complete safety word puzzles, safety word games, and safety rule memory games. A guide for teacher to use in implementing the Snappy® program is free on line at www.wellwaypublishers.com. This guide helps teachers integrate lessons about safety behaviors as they teach spelling, math, reading, writing, motor skills, and critical thinking in twelve 30 minute sessions over a six week period. Additional materials include Snappy™ stickers for children, a 3 by 6 foot Snappy™ banner, aprons and T-shirts, and an adult-sized costume of Snappy™, the Safety Turtle that can be used with large group presentations. Snappy's® primary message is "Life is in your hands, Be Safe!" Snappy®, Safety Turtle is shown in a wide-range of interactive educational materials with statements such as: "Dad wants me safe and snaps me in my safety seat."; "Mom loves me because she buckles me in."; "I like my safety seat!" and "Good parents buckle up their kids." Program Staff: A group of talented professionals helped Dr. Robinson develop the program's materials. Dr. Janice Seitz, formerly at the University of Illinois, helped develop the learning activities in the book. The CD with the songs and poems, by Dr. Robinson, was produced by Studio 61 in Clarksdale by Eric Fowler, who was responsible for arranging and sequencing material. Sheriff Malcolm McMillin of Hinds County, a well-known actor, is the CD narrator. Kristan Dambrino, a student at Delta State University and Miss Mississippi for 2005, is the lead vocalist. Also, she speaks and sings in Snappy's™ voice. Jacqueline Nassar is a vocalist. Anita Smith of Mound Bayou, MS plays the keyboard and Barry Bays, a music professor at Delta State University, plays the bass. Funding Partners: The pilot phase of the Snappy® program in Mississippi had several funding partners including: the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety; the Mayor's Office of the City of Cleveland; Delta State University; Jerry Robinson, Jr.; WellWay Publishers, and the following businesses in Cleveland -- Cleveland State Bank; Farm Bureau Insurance; Kossman's, the GM Super Dealer; New York Life Insurance; Merchant and Farmers Bank; and, Planters Bank. Also, several local firms helped design and duplicate the educational materials. The revised and updated Snappy™ program is being implemented in grades K-3 throughout the state. Community Involvement: Teachers can teach the program using the lesson plans that are free on the Web. Or, the Snappy program is can be a implemented through a team effort. Diverse teams of volunteers from community organizations can help implement the program. To date, Junior Auxiliary, policemen, firefighters, teachers, public officials, high school students, have helped teachers. Captain Mike McCain, who leads the DARE program in the Cleveland Police Department, stated "these volunteers, and helpers from other civic groups, made it possible for us teach the Snappy® program to all children in two counties. Awareness about traffic safety has increased significantly. We are excited about many positive outcomes in both communities." Click here for information about Snappy's research base. -WellWay Publishers, A Division of Robinson and Associates For more information about the Snappy® Safety
program visit the web site listed above or, contact Dr. Jerry W. Robinson,
Jr. at P.O. Box 3234, DSU, Cleveland, MS 38733. |
"Life is in your hands, buckle up!"
