Walk to School Week
Image Credit: note thanun
A generation ago, 70% of us walked to school – now it’s less than half. So Walk to School Week was started to encourage more kids to get out of the car and walk to school.
Walk to School Week is held in the third week of May each year and is organised by the UK charity Living Streets. They create posters and badges for children to collect when they walk to
It seems sad that you need a campaign to encourage children to do what so many of us did without thinking anything of it - any kid who got driven to school in my day would have been mercilessly teased.
But you know what, it is up to us.
We have to set our kids an example. If the example that we set is to get in the car to just traverl a mile down the road, that is the behaviour that your kids will see as normal.
Why Walk to School?
- Walking to school is a brilliant way to get active and healthy - without even realising you are exercising.
- It's also a great opportunity for children to learn those vital road safety skills and make sure they're alert and ready to learn at the start of a new day.
- They will see ther friends and be able to chat to them on the way into school - or even make new friends with the kids the meet on the way.
- It will also help to reduce congestion especially around schools, reduce pollution and give kids some exercise.
According to Walk to School Week organisers Living Streets, parents who walk find the journey to school less stressful, their petrol bill goes down, their children perform better at school and that they and their children feel healthier and fitter.
Teachers even report that those pupils who walk to school are more attentive once they reach their desks.
Walk to School Week is part of a larger campaign by Living Streets called WOW - a year round walk to school challenge where participating schools award badges to kids who walk to school regularly.
How to Make Walking to School Even More Fun
Image Credit: My Life Through A Lens
There are lots of ways you can make your walk to school fun! Look out for all the things that you miss while travelling in the car - why not take a photo of them too.
- Look out for local wildlife - from insects and birds to foxes and cats, there is an abundance of animal life all around you. How many different animals can you see on your journey.
- What happens to plants in May? Can you see leaves turning gold on the trees, flowers or even weeds peeking up through the cracks in the pavement?
- As you pass houses and shops on your journey look above eye level. Do any of them have anything unusual on them - a carving, a plaque with the date the building was opened - maybe you will see a Blue Plaque to commemorate a famous person who lived in the house or a historic event which took place there.
- Look out for interesting textures as you walk along, feel the brick walls, hedges, trees and railings as you pass them.
- Is there any street art where you live - whether it is official or graffiti?
So go on, get out of the car. If you actually live several miles from the school, you could park a little further from the school and walk the rest of the way.
Let's Walk to School Free Printable Colouring Picture
Help encourage the kids to walk to school with this free printable Let's Walk to School Poster for them to colour in.