We all know the line our parents and grandparents have often proclaimed: "when I was your age, I walked 10 miles, up hill, both ways, barefoot in the snow to get to and from school". While this of course is a bit of a stretch and makes for a good laugh, this age old tale actually makes a good point. What happened to that age when children walked to school, maybe up hill, possibly a mile or so, or even just a few blocks? It seems today that most young whipper snappers are missing out on the opportunity to to develop this wisdom as most parents are now choosing to chauffeur their children from the driveway to the school yard. Although much has changed since our parents and grandparents embarked on this daily journey, with the way things are now, what story will our children tell? " When I was your age, I had to.......sit in traffic"? Not quite the same effect.
An article in the New York Times addressed this very issue asking "Why Can't She Walk to School?" with answer being fear, not from the children but from the parents. And this isn't only a Big City issue, a boy in Arroyo Grande was picked up by the police when walking to a friend's house.
Walking and biking to school helps teach children independence, responsibility, gives them a little sense of what it feels like to be out in the world on their own and gets their blood flowing before they sit in a classroom all day. Parents of course need to be smart about letting their children walk and bike because not every situation is safe for kids to do so, however do we want to teach our children that they need to be afraid of the
world or do we want to give them the tools they need face life's
challenges? And they don't have to do it alone, partner up with a freind, or go with them. It will help save money on gas, and provide an opportunity to share a new experience with your kids.
By teaching our children how to be safe and putting a little trust in them, walking and biking could significantly improve the well being of the future generation both their personal health and that of their environment. Its time to embrace the fable of our ancestors and begin to change the way our children get to school, if not for all the reason's above at least to give them a little something to brag about.
