Walk This Way

Written by Madelyn Porter

Walking to school can be a regular part of your child’s safe and active lifestyle. It’s the start of a new academic year and your child can’t wait to put on their new clothes, strap on their knapsack and walk to school. But will they? Research suggests that more than ever before, parents are driving their kids to school. Gone are the days of ‘walking uphill both ways.’ These are the days of family vehicles lining neighborhood streets, all inching toward the school entrance. Traffic congests our school communities, making it increasingly dangerous for children to get to school on foot or on bicycle. It’s time to reverse the trend.

Walking to school is wonderful. It is a simple way to integrate physical activity into your child’s daily routine; even short walks add up. Research suggests that daily physical activity can improve health, enhance mood and may even improve school performance. Quite simply: active kids are happy kids.

When the majority of students take part, walking to school can also reduce the risk of pedestrian injury. When our sidewalks are lined with children, drivers are less likely to speed and more likely to drive with caution, and child pedestrians are easier to see because they are not hidden by parked or waiting vehicles. When everyone walks, pedestrian safety becomes a neighborhood concern; adults and older children begin watching out for younger kids, and volunteer-led programs like “the walking school bus” emerge.

Walking to school can be a regular part of your child’s safe and active lifestyle. Here are some important tips for success:

• Walk with your child. Walking together is a great way to spend quality time, and is especially important for children under 10 years of age because they do not have the skill and judgment to cross the road safely. If you cannot walk with your young child, find a trusted neighbor, friend or older child who can.

• Plan your route. Look for a walking route that allows your child to stay on the sidewalk and to cross at marked intersections. Calculate the length of time it will take to walk this route so that “running late” doesn’t become an excuse for driving.

• Teach your child pedestrian safety skills as you go. Teach your child to understand road safety signs and the signals of a crossing-guard. Help them to look left, straight ahead and right at least two times before crossing the street.

• Make it fun! Some kids need a little extra encouragement to walk. Play games like follow the leader or I spy as you go. Hold hands, sing songs and laugh together.

On days when you must drive your child to school, be sure to follow posted speed limits and drive with caution in school areas. Safe and active kids are everyone’s responsibility.

 

Submitted by Madelyne, Safe & Active Living, 3 Cheers for the Early Years, Calgary Health Region.

For more information, visit:

1. calgaryhealthregion.ca/childsafety
2. go2calgary.com
3. safekidscanada.ca
4. saferoutestoschool.ca
5. shapeab.com