Walking to school.

Gingham_Ribbon

For financial, health and environmental reasons, I want to walk to school with my son. The school I want him to go to is about 2 miles away and on a VERY steep hill. There is no walking on the flat on the way home. It's all an upward trudge.

Is it too much to expect a 4 year old to manage or should I be looking at alternatives? (There is no bus and if there was it would probably be very expensive as the prices have doubled recently.)

I'm looking around for where to apply to but he's only 2 so I'm just trying to make plans at the moment. This school on the hill seems wonderful which is why I'm thinking of applying now.

Do your kids walk to school? How far? Did you walk to school? How long a walk was it?

julesgr

I walked a mile and a half every day except when it snowed or we would have been very late from when I was 3 (as had to go with mum to walk with sis) and i was a nightmare in a buggy!
and as it was the norm I never thought anything of it it's only when a child gets used to something and it's then taken awaythat I think the problems start.

aurora_borealis_2

It is a long way for a four year old, especially uphill and especially at home time. You could try it with him now to get some idea of how he will cope, assuming you're headed for school this year?

I always walked to school with my children but it was only half a mile away.
I think it's too far for him, but then again mine were all girls. Perhaps boys have more stamina?

Kimberley

Walking up a hill for a 4 year old is fine, mine do now, i see loads of 4/5 year olds walking up hills to their schools. The first few days may be tiring, but after a week or two you won't hardly notice and you will get used to it. it's great exercise for the child and you. I see parents drive to school even if they live locally, very lazy if you ask me. Mine walk or bike to school, both are good for exercise

Rachie_B

my son is just 4 and i dont think he would manage it esp both ways after a tiring day at school
and esp if its really windy raining ,hailing etc you know the really bad winter weather that makes it hard for even a grown man / woman to walk down the road without being blown around!

i think id try it during the dryer / warmer weather but not in the winter

you could try him nearer the time but you have 2 yrs to worry / think about it anyway lol

if its the school you want then go for it

jackieb

You say he's only 2yo just now. If it was me i'd put him in his buggy and make a point of walking there myself for a week. Go in the morning and then return again in the afternoon. Do this for a week to get used to the idea first. Do it in the rain too. If you can cope with it then i'd start getting your son to walk small distances and build up to it before he starts school.

heatherw_01

I used to walk to school. It was about 2 - 3 miles and mainly uphill. It took me quite a while to do it, but I preferred walking than getting the bus.

Alleycat

A previous friend regularly walks about 2 to 3 miles with her now 3 year old from town up to her house. It is pretty steep in places and she manages fine. Soph likes to walk and she does really well, not complaining and enjoying looking at all the things along the way and car spotting.

Calephetos

As a child (I'm 25) we were walked to primary school (4-8yrs) up a very steep hill for about a mile everyday. Even in the snow! I remember being very put out once that we'd gotten to school to find it snowed in! I was left at the playgroup next door with my baby sister - hmph!

But then, we had no car, and no money for buses. Or much else, really. These days, I think nothing of walking when I want to go somewhere - it's the first thought. Certainly did me good

(If anyone's from Guildford, it was from Agraria Rd to the school at Onslow Village - our tiny wee legs!)

silvercar

If this is your nearest school your child is entitled to transport provision if he is under 8 and the school is over 2 miles away (over 8 and the distance increase to 3 miles). Contact the local authority and see what provision they have made. If it is not your nearest school but you still want your child to go there, you will not be entitled to transport costs unless there are special reasons for wnating him there.

Incidentally I think it too much to expect a 4 year old to walk 2 miles and then face a whole day at school.

tina68

we moved to Scotland from Coventry where it is so flat and now live in a very hilly mountainous area..i was cream crackered but my son enjoyed the long steep walk to school..don't think they notice really as everyone is doing it
Tina x