Sunny Sunny summer afternoon in Prospect Park.
A father and his four-year-old son come upon a small bridge while the boy is on his scooter. He says to his son, “We’re coming to the bridge. You know what to do.”
The boy stops at the edge of the bridge and gets off his scooter. The son looks up at his father and responds, “I love you.” “I love you, too,” echoes his dad. The boy then gets back on his scooter and they cross the bridge together.

In this scene, we can see that the father and son have created scooter safety rules. The boy feels secure because he has physical cues (get off the scooter at a bridge, or a road, slow down on a hill, etc.) to help him navigate an enormous park with unfamiliar terrain.
 From a four-year-old perspective, physical spaces are much larger and can be more intimidating than they are to an adult. These rules are essential to provide a safe and supportive environment for a young child. Clear directions and reassurance help the four-year-old to move with confidence and spontaneity. And just as important as his safety, his sense of wonder, curiosity, opportunities for exploration, and learning are nourished. “I love you,” says it all!