British Invention Show 07 Walkodile Inventor Elaine Stephen

Walkodile Inventor Elaine Stephen, a teacher from Scotland, simply wanted to make sure the young children under her care are as safe as possible when she takes them out on a walking trip. So in 2002, along with her husband John, Elaine set up a company called Red Island Ltd to develop WALKODILE® and bring it to the market. It is not easy taking a large group of young children out on a walk outside school or nursery... ask any childcare professional.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Walkodile
• School
• Nursery
• Aid
• Inventor
• Elaine
• Stephen
• British
• Invention
• Show
• 2007

[KidLorneMoe]

(cont), special equipment and "risk assessments". It conditions them not to behave independently but according to a arbitary hierachy. It teaches them to expect a life of restricted freedom and limited options. Frankly, if you think this product is a good idea, learn to control your children propery and take some personal responsibility rather than degrade them with this product.

[KidLorneMoe]

It's a depressing indication of the state of modern society that not only does this product exist, but some people actually think it's a good idea to teather children up like a chain gang in order to undertake the simple activity of walking outside. Rather than addressing the problem at hand of restricting car movement and encouraging concepts such as shared spaces, we make playmobile styled restraints and teach our children that going outside is a dangerous activity requiring special planning..

[1972MRSM]

No entirely sure about this product as a Childminder myself - I currently walked between 4 and 7 children from age 2 1/2 - 7 to and from school each day, once delivered at school I really can't see myself carrying the 6ft long thing (or a HUGE duffle bag) back home - personally I think its much easier to teach roadsafety to all children and have younger ones holding hands and/or buggies. Reinventing the wheel maybe???

[d2fraser]

FANTASTIC idea! don't agree with moines daft & uninformed comments below. who's to say children will "run instinctively" from danger. they may freeze. Walkodle would seem to me to be able to steer them out of the way of danger - something teachers can't do just now. if you look at the website it says they have talked to many safety experts. I would have no hesitation letting my childen use one. Plus the inventor just won an award from the queen! Well done.

[moinnes1]

I have the one comment to make on this 'safety' device

Imagine the scenario that an out of control car is veering towards the children, or some other incident where there is immediate danger (falling wall, tree, dog attack, the children are tethered together and unable to run instinctively from danger in any direction). In the case of the car scenario the entire child group would be wiped out.

This device in my mind is very dangerous and there is no way my child is going to be tethered to one

[theSkYkAlEiDoScOpE]

lol this is quite good

[blootoon100]

Its brilliant - we have one at our kindergarten - the kids love it and they are much safer. Well done!

[soccerbas757]

looks stupid, id hate to wear that thing in public

[flangelet]

"Workin' on the chaiiiin gang"

Start 'em young I say!

No. Seriously. It's a good idea. No more lost kids on a trip to the library or the aquarium.

Good luck with it. It's got potential.

[pcmatt2000]

That looks like a good idea for child minders.. good luck with it..