Lockdown: Our Classroom Drill

Lockdown: Our Classroom Drill is a gentle, trauma-informed read-along book created to support educators and caregivers in teaching lockdown procedures to young children in a calm, developmentally appropriate way.

Written by a former New York State Trooper and safety educator with nearly 20 years of experience working alongside schools, this book addresses a critical gap in safety education: how to explain lockdown drills to early learners without introducing unnecessary fear or anxiety. The story walks children through familiar classroom settings and simple actions, reinforcing routine, listening to trusted adults, and practicing together. Lockdown: Our Classroom Drill uses friendly illustrations and simple, age-appropriate language to gently guide teachers and students through the steps of a lockdown drill. The goal is to encourage the same calm, practiced confidence seen during evacuation drills, where educators and children move together in a steady, familiar routine.

Designed for children ages 3-8 (Pre-K through 3rd grade), the book serves as a visual and conversational aid that helps normalize lockdown drills as part of school life. Additional guidance and frequently asked questions are included to support educators and caregivers in answering children's questions with reassurance and consistency.

This resource empowers schools to build readiness while protecting children's emotional well-being, because safety education can be calm, supportive, and kind.

Teachers and parents will appreciate how the book balances school safety preparedness with emotional reassurance, making it an essential resource for classrooms, libraries, and home learning. By using relatable characters and step-by-step explanations, Lockdown: Our Classroom Drill helps young readers understand the importance of listening to their teacher and staying safe, while reinforcing that the adults around them are always there to help.

Perfect for:

• Teachers preparing students for lockdown drills in a calm, age-appropriate way
• School safety coordinators looking for engaging training tools
• School Resource Officers to connect young student to calm actions
• Parents who want to reinforce safety skills at home
• Librarians building a collection of social-emotional learning and safety books

Key Features:

• Clear, friendly storytelling designed for ages 3-8 (PreK-3rd Grade)
• Colorful illustrations that make safety concepts easy to understand
• Supports social-emotional learning by reducing anxiety around safety drills
• Created by a law enforcement veteran and experienced safety educator
• Ideal for read-aloud time during safety week, back-to-school season, or classroom community meetings

Anca M. Watt is a safety educator, author, and former New York State Trooper with nearly 20 years of experience working with schools and communities. She founded Level-Up Safety LLC and Level-Up Safety Press to deliver compassion-driven, trauma-informed safety education. Anca wrote Lockdown: Our Classroom Drill to help educators introduce lockdown procedures to young children in a calm, age-appropriate, and reassuring way.