Walking or wheeling to school
There are many benefits to letting your age appropriate child choose an active means of getting to and from school, as long as you live within a reasonable distance. Walking, biking, rollerblading and skateboarding are all great ways to start the day and enjoy the outdoors. If possible, join them for the adventurous journey.
An active commute to school gets you moving and can help keep you fit and healthy. In Alberta, childhood obesity rates are on the rise, being active to and from school can help your child get in that much needed physical activity. As outlined in the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, youth ages 5 – 17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily.
There is also a link between academic performance and physical activity. Children who are physically active are more likely to do better at school. Children who are active on their way to school arrive alert and ready to learn. Cycling or walking also limits traffic delays and can help ensure kids arrive at the same time each day.
Walking costs nothing and you can discover your local area and wildlife on the way. It’s also a great way to make better use of costly bikes, rollerblades or skateboards that may be collecting dust. Walking to school can also mean a significant reduction in cost for fuel and car maintenance. Leaving the car at home will help save the environment by cutting down on car emissions.
Walking with your friends and family can encourage conversation on the way to and from school. It’s an awesome opportunity to talk to your child. It can provide some valuable one-on-one time to share stories and talk about their day. If your child is old enough to walk to school with friends, walking will give them extra time to build friendships or if they are walking alone, it can be a great time to think, relax and reflect on the day.
If safety is a concern, rally together with neighbors and organize a walk-to-school program that has a responsible older child or adult leading the group. If biking, skateboarding or rollerblading, be sure that your child has a properly fitted helmet and that they are following traffic safety guidelines.
For information on a variety of health related topics, visit ahs.ca or MyHealth.Alberta.ca. Health advice is also available 24/7 by calling Health Link at 811.
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