It’s National Walk-to-School Day

Lace up your walking shoes Wednesday, Oct. 8, for National Walk to School Day! Hundreds of kids, including myself, my kindergartener and a pod of neighborhood kiddos, are walking to school on Wednesday.

Walking is such a great way to see the world, slow down, take in some fresh air, get some exercise, and spend some extra time together. Some groups will be meeting up closer to their school to walk the rest of the way, others will do the walk from home. However you choose do it, it’s a good time to talk to children about safety as a pedestrian and the healthy benefits of walking. Discuss what side of the road to walk on (facing traffic if no sidewalks, and sidewalks are always preferred to the road when available), and remind them about crosswalks, crosswalk signals and simply to always look before crossing the road. 

As a child, I lived several miles from my school, so walking wasn’t an option, but I love that my child has this opportunity. And I hope as he grows older, he may be able to walk or bike on his own to school. It’s a great way for children to take in their surroundings, clear their minds and build confidence.

If you can’t walk your kids to school today, try and take a walk in the neighborhood later in the afternoon or after dinner. Teaching kids about the health benefits of walking is great but there are other, less obvious benefits too. Spending time together without distractions is important. Talk about nature and things you see on the walk. Admire the leaves changing colors or the different smells along the route. Which ever way you can, find time to be outside today.