Latchkey Children's Preparation for Self-Care: Overestimated, Underrehearsed, and Unsafe

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Abstract
Latchkey children need to be prepared to avoid injuries, emotional problems, and poor selection of activities. Preplanned activities and appropriate contact with an adult by telephone may improve emotional reactions and after-school activities. Preparation to avoid injuries should include the acquisition of skills to deal with emergencies like fires, burns, and cuts; to fix safe and nutritious snacks; and to avoid abduction and molestation. However, data suggest most children are poorly prepared to remain at home alone and that there is no empirical validation of the effectiveness for most structured preparation texts. I discuss the basic components of effective preparation including rule validation, overrehearsal, and booster sessions and describe future directions for preparation research.

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