Instructors - Put Your Best Foot Forward in the Classroom

CPS Board > Resource Center > Tools to Help You Put Your Best Foot Forward in the Classroom

What qualities identify a good teacher? Here is betting you can rattle them off the top of your head. You are a strong communicator. You listen well. You are adaptable. And you are a life-long learner.

Sure, you can add more items to that list. Instead, let’s focus on your own learning. And let’s look at some of the tools that will help you succeed in teaching the latest version of the national standardized curriculum used to train certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

Teaching aids and instructional videos are organized here by module and follow the natural progression of classroom instruction.

Curriculum Instructor Materials

If you are a CPS Instructor, please view the resource tabs for Modules 1 – 13 below.

Next, login through your Safe Kids CPS Certification account to access the Protected Instructor Materials and related downloads.

Get it here: Technician Guide
Get pre-approved: Play host to Category 1 or 3 CPS CEU sessions
NEW: NDCF Guidance for use during CPST Certification Courses
NDCF Use Methods
Tell us what you think: Please submit all questions, suggestions and feedback about the 2020 Curriculum through the 2020 Curriculum Feedback Form. A link can be found in the top right corner of this page.

Resources for Modules 1 – 13

Module 1: Introduction

Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Training

Collect detailed information about the vehicles with this form: Student Vehicle Occupant Restraint System Details (to be completed by instructor)

Review the terms: Child Occupant Protection Glossary

FAQs: M odule 1

Module 2: The CPS Technician Role

Technicians: Code of Conduct
Print and display in the windshield during skills activities: Vehicle Number Cards
FAQs: Module 2

Module 3: Crash Dynamics

Instructional Videos

Additional TG Pages: 3-9 and 3-10

FAQs: Module 3

Module 4: Seat Belt Systems

Instructional Videos

Quick reference guide: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations

Activity: Identify Latch Plates and Retractors

Putting it all together: What Locks the Seat Belt?

FAQs: Module 4

Module 5: Air Bags

Instructional Video

Activity: Locate Air Bag Markings

FAQs: Module 5

Module 6: Lower Anchors and Tethers

Instructional Videos

Activity: Locate LATCH in Manuals and Vehicles

Activity: Locate LATCH in Vehicles

Find out: What is your vehicle’s child restraint anchor weight limit?

Sample Supplemental Vehicle Owner’s Manuals

FAQs: Module 6

Module 7: Introduction to Car Seats

Many Car Seats on the Market

Car Seat Recommendations for Children: Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it
every time.
Child Safety Seat Registration Form: In the event of a recall, manufacturers are required to notify all registered owners by first class mail that their child seat is included in the recall.
Child Safety Seat Parts Reference List: From anti-rebound bar to tether, learn about the parts in your child’s car seat.

FAQs: Module 7

Module 8: Rear-Facing Car Seats

Instructional Videos

Testimony on the importance of children riding rear-facing for as long as possible from the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Rear-Facing Quotables

Activity: Install Rear-Facing Car Seats

FAQs: Module 8

Module 9: Forward-Facing Car Seats

Instructional Videos

Activity: Install Forward-Facing Car Seats

Activity: Examine Forward-Facing Car Seat Misuse

Safety check: Use this tool from NHTSA to check whether a car seat has been recalled.

FAQs: Module 9

Module 10: Booster Seats and Seat Belts

Instructional Videos

Activity: Secure a Booster Seat

Seat belts: Learn state laws regarding seat belt use from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

FAQs: Module 10

Module 11: Other Vehicles

School Buses

Students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely if they take the school bus instead of traveling by car, according to the American School Bus Council.

Bus safety: Learn from experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration how school buses are different by design and protected by the law. Also, get school bus infographics:

State Laws: All states require child safety seats for infants and children, but requirements vary based on age, weight and height. Some states require seat belts on school buses. Learn the requirements in your state.

How-to-guide: Proper Use of Child Safety Restraint Systems in School Buses.

Vans

Get safety tips: Transporting children in 15-passenger vans.

Airplanes

The safest place for child on an airplane is in an approved child restraint system. Why? Your arms aren’t strong enough to hold your child during turbulence events. Visit the Federal Aviation Administration website to get tips on the following topics: