With fond memories of walking to school when we were children. Sometimes walking by yourself and other times walking with friends. I’m sure we always enjoyed the stroll.
Well, now there’s a bit of research that supports the positive vibes we got from walking to school. A study, called the “Mass Experiment 2012,” which took place in Denmark, examined the school transportation habits of nearly 20,000 children between the ages of 5 and 19. The article, “Walking to School Improves Students’ Ability to Concentrate,” reported that the study found that kids who walked or biked to class performed better than kids who were driven to school by their parents, or who took public transportation. The daily, morning exercise was the key that helped kids unlock their concentration “skills.”
Here are a few other reasons why walking to school is so great for your kid:
Walking keeps kids healthy
This is obvious, but still worth mentioning. Staying active helps children stay physically fit. Also: Walking to and from school every day can help kids get in the habit of engaging in physical activity.
Walking allows kids to stop and smell the roses
Kids have to examine every new neat thing they come in contact with. And that’s why walking outside is so great! Walking to and from class allows kids to get acquainted with the natural world.
Walking = friend making
Allowing your kid to walk with a group of kids to class allows your child to get to know new children.
Just make sure before you send your child out the door, you make them a hearty breakfast. Also, keep in mind: If your kid is walking to class, she/he may very well may be walking home, too. To make sure their hunger is satisfied until dinner, consider making an after-school snacks.
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