 |
I’ve really prioritized walking to school this year! The weather has been incredibly cooperative so far, but it’s still an investment – I have to have all four kids ready to go a full forty minutes before school starts, instead of ten minutes before, then there’s the complaining about being tired/shoes hurting/being cold because they refused to wear their jacket (they’re getting smarter about that last one!)
It’s all worth it, because the benefits of walking to school far outweigh the disadvantages! Here are a few things we enjoy:
- Bonding time. Our walk is about a mile each way, so it’s plenty of time to talk about things that are on our minds, make up jokes, and just enjoy being together. I find that my kids talk a lot more when we’re walking than they do sitting at home.
- Exercise. Walking to and from school guarantees that I get nearly two miles of exercise a day, even if it’s at a snail’s pace. It’s great for the kids, too.
- Sensory experience. My kids love finding new plants, and this morning Johnny gave up his turn riding on the stroller board just so that he could crunch the fall leaves under his feet.
- Exploring nature. We’re learning about different birds and plants – what they look like, and what they sound like. We are all learning to pay more attention to the beautiful world we live in.
- Math. Walks are a fantastic way to practice counting! My kids count rocks, and leaves, and other objects. We also discovered that the telephone poles in our neighborhood are numbered – perfect for preschoolers to practice number recognition and sequencing!
Do you take your kids on walks?
Learning Laboratory is a space to celebrate the fun, creative, hands-on learning that happens in everyday life. Here are a few favorite links from last time:
- 5 Steps to Get Your Children to do Their Chores: Mommy Tested Ideas from waddlee-ah-chaa
- Leaf Matching Game from Smiling Like Sunshine
- DIY Aquadoodle from Doodles and Jots
Please share your posts for this week below! By linking up, you are giving me permission to pin your posts to my Pinterest boards.
|
How great to live close enough to the school to walk!!
Great bonding time!
Visit sherri … Moving? Activities to Keep the Kiddos Busy!!
[Reply]
What a lovely photo! We love to walk and as we don’t have a car we do a lot of walking! :)
Visit sunnymama … All Year Round week twenty nine: 7 Ways to Celebrate Autumn
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 11:55 am
We never had a car while we lived in the UK. I wish that were more feasible where we live now!
[Reply]
My dad walked me to schools every single day, and it’s some of my best childhood memories
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
How wonderful! I hope my children have memories like yours.
[Reply]
We have started one-on-one (or two-on-one?) time every week with the person whoÄs turn it is for the lesson at Family Home Evening: always in a cuddly setting on the couch. Since I find walking is one great way to get conversations going and people to open up, I was wondering how we could do it here. Quinn likes to draw and have us draw with her while she opens up and Audrey simply enjoys the attention and massaging.
I am thinking of having this time om Sundays as it’s always tight timewise after FHE with school the next day…
Unforunately there’s a busy road between us and Quinn’S school which must be crossed at one point; otherwise the walk there would always be a great walk through the countryside. Robin has to pass by on his way to work anyhow, so getting her there by 7.30 am (most schools here start at 8 but Quinn’s starts even earlier!) also makes sure Robin gets to work earlier. A mom of one of Quinn’s new friends brings her home which will be even more appreciated by me once the baby arrives!
Our most frequent walks are just down the street to our neighbor (the organic farmer) to see all her animals and growing fruits and veggies (on Friday we chose two huge crates full of various pumpkins and squashes)- the turkeys are particularly entertaining right now. :)We haven’t been going for long walks lately.
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Living near an organic farm sounds wonderful! I love the one-on-one time you have with your little FHE lesson planners :)
[Reply]
I’ll bet it is really difficult to get all four kids ready to go in time but it definitely sounds worth it. Hope the weather continues to cooperate! Sounds like a perfect way to start the day.
Visit Mud Hut Mama … Preschool Homeschool Lesson Plans: Week 15, Age 3
[Reply]
I love the conversations my son and I have on the way to school. It’s a great way to catch up, go over the schedule for the afternoon, have fantastical conversations. One week he spent most of the mornings telling me all about the life cycle of a bee hive in documentary form! :-)
Visit Laura … Meal Plan Monday – September 23 – 29
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
That sounds like a wonderful conversation! It’s one of the best ways to have long conversations with my kids, I find. :)
[Reply]
It is unfortunate that many kids have lost the opportunity to walk to school. I have some very fond memories of doing that with my friends and my brother that I am so glad I have.
Hum, I think you’ve given me an idea for a blog story. :D
Visit Susan Cooper … Lemon Sangria: Wine
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
I hope you do write about your childhood, walking to school!
[Reply]
Once you’re on your way, that must be a wonderful way to bookend the school day–good time to get into school mode, then a nice transition to after school fun. And exercise to boot: bonus! I love your thoughtful style of parenting…you make me want to be more mindful!
Visit Lynda @ Rhody Reader … The Sixes by Kate White
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Thank you, Lynda!
[Reply]
Oh yes, Miss Enigma just came inside from playing and asked if we could go for a walk tonight.
What dedication on your part for getting everyone ready for an early walk each morning. This is such a nice way for your family to start the day.
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
How wonderful that she is asking to go on a walk!
[Reply]
How lovely to walk to school and back together! I always walked to school on my own, or with my sister, from the age of five (I guess you can’t do that these days!!). My family would sometimes have a walk all together in the evenings, especially in the winter looking at Christmas lights. I always enjoyed that.
Visit Elisa | blissfulE … cycle, Michael
[Reply]
I remember walking to school when I was little and then again in high school. I enjoyed it so much more than riding the bus. You’ve pointed out such wonderful benefits of walking. Love it. :)
Visit Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories … A is for Apple Tree Investigation
[Reply]
That is a great experience for you all. What fun!
Visit Jenny … FIAR: The Glorious Flight
[Reply]
wow. a mile each way! that’s amazing! kudos to you for doing the walk-thing…
Visit andiejaye … in {her} shoes…eddie
[Reply]
I prefer walking to school! Our walk is only about ten minutes (at the pace of my kids) and it actually gives us extra time in the morning. The bus comes at 8, but school doesn’t start until 8:50. So if we walk, we typically leave the house around 8:30 to give the kids some a few minutes to run around on the playground before school.
Visit Christy … Pirate Fun
[Reply]
When we lived in California we lived close enough to walk. Amusingly enough when we moved to Texas we were far enough that we couldn’t walk, but not far enough to ride the bus (cut off for the bus was 2 miles, and we were 1.9 miles). I used to love walking to school when I was younger.
We sometimes walk to our local park and it’s always fun.
Visit Ticia … Review: Enchanted Homeschool Members Only Site
[Reply]
I totally meant to walk the kids to school more but that hasn’t happened……….. yet. Thanks for the motivation and I agree with all you said.
Visit marie … Etc.
[Reply]
Looks like a great bonding time! In the states, we walked to school (it was only one block), but right now there’s not many places we can walk. We do, however, have a huge property for exploring!
[Reply]
[...] are some great W Blog Posts: Mama Smiles – Benefits of Walking to School Wildlife Fun 4 Life – Wildlife Movement Dice We Can Do all Things – Walking on Pillows [...]