A fifth of children have no idea where they live – because they no longer walk to school. Daily Mail UK.
When asked what they could see during their journey to school, the majority could not identify landmarks, instead picking up on houses and treees.
Would American children fare any better? Kids nowadays seem to expect a ride to and from school. Walking is something their parents or grandparents did.
See:
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1278959/Why-fifth-children-dont-know-live.html#ixzz0oA6ONpzO
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GPS on their cell phones.
Yup, GPS can rescue them if they get lost. What happens when their batteries die?
Ah the good old days- walking to school in all kinds of weather- picking up friends on the way, finding the best places to cut through the woods and sled down “Biggie Hill” on our lunchboxes.
Of course, that was before forced bussing destroyed the concept of neighborhood schools. In 1st and 2nd grade we walked maybe 4 blocks, there were two ways you could go. 3rd -6th was a LOT more adventurous- we walked perhaps 1/2 mile-crossing a main road twice and there were ways to make it shorter or longer. By fourth grade we had all the best trick or treat houses scoped out!
We also had RECESS and very few fat kids- oh and government mandated PE didn’t start til I was in 6th grade.
PMM, right on! Walking to school was an adventure. Sometimes. That is when you didn’t have to outrun the escaped dog down the street. But it certainly was loads of fun splashing all the way home in the rain. Or having snowball fights every block home. Obesity was unknown in those days. Probably as a result of kids walking to and from school, and playing outdoors from sun up to sun down, when they were not in school.
Remember this? “If you can not find something to do outside I am sure I can find SOMETHING that needs cleaned.”
Said with a true mother’s spirit!