Are people really having frank conversations with 5 year olds about the proper use of these inserts to deflect bullets in the event that a gunman breaks into their school and starts shooting?

I feel this one, OP, and have thought about getting one often myself. With seemingly constant news about bomb threats at MoCo schools, and of course in the wake of that Wooton HS kid with the manifesto suggesting he was going to shoot up a local MoCo ES, I understand wanting to arm your kid with extra protective gear. Haven’t settled one way or the other on this myself. It’s a scary world, and so sad we’re all collectively afraid to send our kids to school…

Anonymous wrote:If they are hiding there will be no time for getting a backpack so better off getting a vest and helmet.

Running to a vest and helmet would take the same amount of time (or more if you account for putting it on) as running to a backpack, right? This is, of course, assuming PP isn’t suggesting Kindergartners wear bulletproof vests and helmets all day long.

Skip it, OP. Teach your kid to listen to the teacher in the event of an emergency.

Anonymous wrote:It would make more sense to require your kids to wear helmets on the playground. (To avoid confusion: I do NOT think they should wear helmets on the playground or have bulletproof backpacks. Neither would have any real benefit.)

Statistically, kids die when they get hit by cars or drown. Keep your young kids away from water and make sure your older kids can swim. And make them hyperaware of the risk of cars.

Just in case someone is taking this as advice, helmets on the playground, other than kids with specific fall risk due to epilepsy or something like that, aren't safe, because equipment can get caught on the straps. So, it's not a neutral choice.

I would argue that these shields are probably in the same category, because a Kindergartener who runs for their backpack, instead of listening to a teacher to stay still and hide could become a target.

Now, to be clear, all of these things we're talking about are uncommon. I agree 100% that cars and pools are bigger risks to Kindergarteners than playground accidents or school shootings.