Helping children ages 3 through 1st Grade prepare for lockdown drills with confidence.
Lock Down Drill: A Crouching Tigers Safety Story is more than a children’s book—it’s a complete implementation toolkit designed to help schools introduce lockdown drills in a calm, age-appropriate, and consistent way.
Created specifically for Preschool through 1st Grade, the curriculum gives administrators, teachers, and families the tools they need to confidently prepare young children for one of the most important safety procedures they practice each year.
No guessing. No writing parent letters from scratch. No wondering what to say.
We've done the work for you.
- Developmentally appropriate children's book
- Teacher guide
- Ready-to-send parent communications
- Family FAQ
- Printable classroom resources
- Optional on-site workshops
Everything You Need. Nothing You Don't.
Schools already have emergency procedures.
What many don’t have is a developmentally appropriate way to introduce those procedures to young children—or the time to create all of the supporting materials themselves.
Lock Down Drill™ gives your staff a complete implementation toolkit that saves hours of preparation while providing a consistent experience for teachers, students, and families.
What's Included
Lock Down Drill: A Crouching Tigers Safety Story Children’s Book
A beautifully illustrated story that introduces lockdown drills in a calm, non-scary, age-appropriate way.
- Written specifically for ages 3 through 1st grade
- Uses simple, reassuring language children can understand
- Helps children understand what to do and why we practice
- Designed to be read before completing a lockdown drill
Administrator Guide
Everything school leaders need to prepare for and coordinate a developmentally appropriate lockdown drill.
- Step-by-step guidance for before, during and after the drill
- Guidance for communicating with staff and families
- Parent FAQs and suggested responses
- Reminders for reviewing state, licensing and school-specific drill requirements
Teacher Guide
A simple classroom guide that walks teachers through preparing children for and completing the drill.
- Before-the-drill preparation checklist
- Step-by-step instructions for using the book
- Kid-friendly FAQs and suggested answers
- Guidance for identifying and introducing the classroom’s “Special Safety Spot”
- Recommended post-drill activity
Ready-to-Send Parent Communication
Take parent communication off your to-do list with messages already written for you.
- Pre-drill family letter
- Post-drill family letter
- Clear, reassuring language for families
- Easily copy, customize and send to your school community
Family Guide
A take-home resource that helps families continue the conversation in a calm, age-appropriate way.
- Explains what children learned and practiced
- Helps parents answer common questions
- Provides simple language to use at home
- Reinforces the message that we practice safety so we know what to do
Optional Lock Down Drill Workshops
Want an even easier implementation?
Our instructor-led workshops bring the story to life through engaging discussions and age-appropriate movement activities that reinforce listening skills, confidence, and following directions.
Perfect for schools looking for a turnkey implementation.
Why Schools Choose Lock Down Drill™
Administrators have enough on their plates.
Lock Down Drill™ was created to eliminate hours of planning while giving every classroom a consistent, developmentally appropriate approach to lockdown drills.
Schools appreciate that the curriculum:
- Creates consistent language across every classroom
- Saves teachers valuable preparation time
- Includes ready-to-send parent communications
- Helps answer difficult student questions with confidence
- Gives families clear, thoughtful information
- Supports existing emergency procedures
- Makes implementation simple and consistent across the entire school
Why I Created Lock Down Drill™
Earlier this year, my own young children came home from school after participating in lockdown drills.
Each child had a completely different understanding of what had happened.
One thought they had been hiding from animals.
Another believed they had been playing hide-and-seek.
My youngest thought everyone had gone into the bathroom because it was a potty break.
As both a mother and an early childhood educator, I wasn’t concerned that schools were practicing lockdown drills. In fact, I believe preparing children and educators for emergencies is incredibly important.
What concerned me was that teachers had very few developmentally appropriate resources to help explain these drills to young children.
Educators were doing the very best they could, but many were left creating their own explanations and navigating difficult conversations without age-appropriate tools.
I knew there had to be a better way.
Lock Down Drill was created to help schools prepare children in a way that is calm, reassuring, and rooted in early childhood best practices.
Designed for Preschool through 1st Grade
Lock Down Drill™ is ideal for:
- Child Care Centers
- Preschool Programs
- Pre-K Programs
- Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
- Kindergarten
- 1st Grade
- Montessori Schools
- Head Start Programs
- Faith-Based Schools
- Public & Private Elementary Schools
- School Districts
Whether you’re introducing lockdown drills for the first time or improving your current approach, Lock Down Drill™ provides a consistent experience for administrators, teachers, students, and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the book discuss active shooters?
No.
The story intentionally avoids discussing active shooters or graphic violence with young children. Instead, it focuses on what children should do during a lockdown drill while reinforcing that trusted adults are there to keep everyone safe.
Who is Lock Down Drill™ designed for?
Lock Down Drill™ was created specifically for age 3 through 1st Grade, making it ideal for child care centers, preschool programs, elementary schools, and school districts serving young learners.
What ages is this Lock Down Drill appropriate for?
We recommend Lock Down Drill starting at 3 years old and up to the end of 1st grade.
Does this replace our emergency procedures?
No.
Lock Down Drill™ complements your existing emergency plans by providing developmentally appropriate language, classroom resources, and family communication tools that support your current procedures.
Can we order classroom sets?
Absolutely.
Schools may purchase individual copies, classroom sets, or bulk orders for an entire building or district.
Are workshops available?
Yes.
Schools may request instructor-led workshops that help introduce the story, reinforce safety concepts, and prepare children for upcoming lockdown drills.
Help Children Feel Prepared—Not Scared.
Young children deserve explanations they can understand.
Teachers deserve resources they can trust.
Administrators deserve a simple, consistent system that saves time while supporting one of the most important safety procedures in their building.
That’s why Lock Down Drill™ was created.
Ready to bring Lock Down Drill™ to your school?