Where Do We Go? WH Questions – Emergency & Safety (Free Printable PDF)

Introduction

Emergencies can be frightening, especially for young children who may not know what to do or where to go. Teaching children where to go in case of danger, such as a fire or drill, is a critical part of developing their safety awareness and life skills. It also provides an excellent opportunity to work on language development, specifically WH-question comprehension.

“Where Do We Go? WH Questions – Emergency & Safety (Free Printable PDF)” is a free, practical, and accessible resource that teaches young learners how to respond to emergency situations through simple, visual Q&A flashcards. Featuring real-life photos, straightforward answers, and consistent formatting, this tool is ideal for children in early grades, those with speech or language delays, and children with autism or other special needs.

Product Details

• Resource Type: Free Printable Flashcards (PDF format)
• Total Pages: 5
• Flashcards per Page: 3 (15 total flashcards)
• Each Flashcard Includes:
  • A safety-themed “Where” question (e.g., “Where do we go during a fire drill?”)
  • A clear, full-sentence answer (e.g., “We go to the assembly point outside.”)
  • A real photo representing the situation or location
• Topics Covered:
  • Fire drills
  • Safe zones
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Emergency exits
  • Evacuation points
• Design: Clean layout, real-world visuals, and large, easy-to-read fonts
• Usability: Ideal for both printed and digital use at home, in classrooms, or during therapy

Educational Benefits

• Teaches Functional Safety Skills: Children learn where to go in common emergency situations through clear language and visuals.
• Builds WH-Question Understanding: Provides repetitive and consistent “Where” questions that support comprehension.
• Promotes Full-Sentence Speech: Encourages children to speak in full sentences like “We go to the safe area outside.”
• Supports Children with Special Needs: Especially beneficial for children with autism, speech delays, or cognitive challenges due to the visual format and concrete answers.
• Reinforces School Safety Protocols: Can be integrated into school safety plans, social stories, or behavioral interventions.
• Combines Language and Life Skills: A unique resource that develops both communication and independence.
• ESL and ELL Friendly: Helps English language learners grasp safety vocabulary and sentence structure.

Instructions for Use

Step 1: Download and Print the PDF

• Print the resource on A4 or US Letter-sized paper.
• Use thicker paper or laminate for extended use.
• Cut along the lines to create 15 individual flashcards.

Step 2: Introduce Flashcards by Scenario

• Begin with a relevant topic (e.g., fire drills if practicing at school).
• Read the card aloud: “Where do we go during a fire drill?”
• Show the image and response: “We go to the assembly point outside.”

Step 3: Encourage Full Sentences and Repetition

• Ask children to repeat the full answer.
• Offer a sentence starter prompt like, “We go to the…” to support sentence building.

Step 4: Link to Real-World Routines

• During school safety drills or home safety discussions, use the flashcards to reinforce the plan.
• Walk through each scenario using the corresponding flashcard for visual support.

Step 5: Extend with Practice Games or Role-Play

• Play “What if?” games using the flashcards. For example, “What if there’s smoke?”
• Create a mock evacuation drill using the cards to guide steps and build recall.
• Use the cards as visual aids in social stories or safety-themed books.

Activities Using the Resource

These flashcards are designed to help children understand safety procedures while developing their ability to answer “Where” questions. The activities below are interactive, adaptable, and especially helpful in speech therapy, classrooms, or home routines.

1. Emergency Scenario Match-Up

• Objective: Link common emergencies to the correct safe place.
• Instructions: Lay out question cards separately from the answer cards (without photos). Ask the child to match them correctly.
• Extension: Introduce tools or props (like a toy fire extinguisher) and have children match them with the flashcards.

2. Safety Drill Role-Play

• Objective: Practice real-life emergency responses.
• Instructions: Read a card aloud (“Where do we go during a fire drill?”) and guide the child to act out the response using physical space—walk to the “assembly point” or simulate using a fire extinguisher.
• Bonus: Add role-play characters like firefighters or teachers.

3. Map It Out

• Objective: Build spatial awareness of safe areas.
• Instructions: Using a floor plan of your classroom, school, or home, help the child identify locations mentioned in the cards (e.g., safe zone, exit, hallway).
• Extension: Have the child “map” their own escape route using arrows or stickers.

4. What Would You Do? Game

• Objective: Encourage critical thinking and sequencing.
• Instructions: Present a situation verbally (e.g., “What if you hear the fire alarm?”) and ask the child to pick the correct flashcard response.
• Follow-up: Discuss step-by-step actions after the answer.

5. Safety Poster Craft

• Objective: Promote creative expression and reinforcement.
• Instructions: After reviewing the flashcards, have the child create a safety poster showing what to do in one of the emergencies (e.g., “During a fire drill, go to the assembly point.”)

Conclusion

Emergencies can be overwhelming—but when children know where to go and what to do, they feel safer and more prepared. This free printable resource helps build those essential life skills in a child-friendly way.

By combining WH-question practice, real images, and clear safety instructions, this set of flashcards empowers children with both communication and self-protection tools. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, this is a valuable addition to your emergency preparedness and life skills toolkit.

Print it, use it in safety drills, or add it to your speech sessions—completely free!