To think a 3-4 mile walk is too long for a year 1 class?

[Wikkiwoo]

I have just been informed that DSs school will be visiting a local church as part of their learning. They will be walking there and back. I reckon it is roughly 1.5-2 miles walking distance away.

AIBU to think this is too far for a year 1 class?

[Lucylouby]

Our school walks to church twice a year for a service. The church is about 1.5 miles away. The whole school goes out. I think there are about 220 children in the school plus lots of staff and parent helpers. It's about the only times in the year the heard teacher gets stressed, but they manage to get their and back every time. It's actually quite good fun walking in a big long line. It does show you though, that not all children are given the chance to walk anywhere. Some of the children have no idea how to walk nicely and have no idea about road safety. I'm sure the school will have lots of helpers and will be aware on road safety issues for large groups. There will be risk assessments done and I doubt anything will be left to chance.

[Nocomet]

Not split in half with an activity in the middle.

DF's 2.3 year old did most of 2 mls on newyears day because he didnt want anyone, to carry him.

[manicinsomniac]

I'm going to give the first YANBU

It's no distance for an individual child of that age but for a whole class it's quite an ask. There's very likely to be at least 1 (probably more than 1) child who is a) disabled b) unused to walking or c) very unfit and having to stick to the pace of the slowest few is quite tricky for faster young children.

As a teacher, this would seriously stress me out. I took a Y7 (so 11-12 year olds) group of about 45 on a trip which involved a 4 mile walk each way (the walk was the main activity though, we just had a picnic lunch and games etc at the destination) and it was really tough going. Lots of moaning, dropping behind and racing ahead. The sense of responsibility is crushing.

I can't imagine doing this with such young children, it would turn me grey! I imagine 1.5-2 miles for a 5 year old is the same as 4 miles for an 11 year old so I think the collective reaction will be the same.

[Jeregrette]

YANBU. It depends on the child. My PFB finds it hard to do the less that 1/2 mile walk back from school most days but then I did used to give into her please of "pick up" quite a lot when she was younger and because she was such a dawdler, used the pushchair for a lot longer than I should have done so she got used to being ferried about.

[Jeregrette]

I meant "I used to give into her pleas"

[HeadfirstThroughTheTimeVortex]

If a Y3/4 child with no additional physical needs cannot walk 3 miles with a break halfway, then they are pretty unfit tbh!

[Menolly]

Reception DD walks to 2 miles each way to school every day, it'll be fine. There will be loads of adults with them too so its not like it'll just be the teacher and TA trying to herd 30 kids along between them.

[kmc1111]

YABU, at that age my DC were walking at least 5 miles each school day (walk to school, walk to activities/library/park, walk home) and were joining me on easy hikes on the weekend. Plus anything the school was doing and a ton of running around in the backyard.

I expect it will be a pain in the ass for teachers because there are always some children that age who've never had to walk more than a few hundred meters before, but that's why it's important to do it, kids need the exercise and the practice navigating roads and some won't get that at home.

[TheBody]

no mine would have loved this as we walked all over.

don't you do much walking op? comfy shows and warm coat and be fine.

[DietCokeMultipackCan]

One of mine would manage, the other would struggle I think and they do walk, we walk to school and back every day, to the park and shops etc but never further than a mile for anything really.

[georgesdino]

Of course its not a long distance!

[dellybobs]

As long as they have decent shoes on then I'm sure they will be fine. Can't imagine a class full of children with blisters from school shoes will be too pleasant.

[bottlenecker]

YABU
1.5/2 miles each way is no distance for this age.

[RuddyDuck]

So, they are 5 and 6 years old, and you are worried that they won't manage 1.5-2 miles each way

They will be fine, unless they are totally unfit. I presume they are wearing trainers not school shoes?

I wouldn't want to be the teacher/TA/ staff member trying to ensure thry are safe whilst crossing the road though!

[Bramshott]

I sometimes think we have forgotten what distances are like in reality! It takes an adult about 15 mins to walk a mile - it's no distance at all. Ok, slightly longer for a child, but really, it's not at all far, just round the corner really.

[bragmatic]

What?!!? YABU.

[georgesdino]

I lead a group of 20 of children aged 2,3,4 on foot across roads for about a mile every day. Its really easy

[kentishgirl]

Is that one of those 'walking bus' things. I used to drive past one every morning and thought it was brilliant!

[georgesdino]

We go out on trips everyday on foot with the children I look after. I think its good for the children, and many of the children who say carry me with their own parents are perfectly capable of doing it. The children play it up to their parents more than they would to others.

[funnyossity]

They should be able to do it.

But I must say I try not to volunteer as a helper for these walking trips as some kids are clueless about it. Definitely a life skill Random Mess!

[TeenAndTween]

YANBU. I agree with everything manicinsomniac said.

That said, if the school want to do it, that's their look-out. I would be happy for my child to do the walk but think it would be very stressy for the teachers!

[LittleMissGreen]

YABU, our school often go on a 5mile walk in the summer from reception upwards. They wear yellow jackets if walking on roads.

[Hulababy]

It's really not an issue and IMO not too stressful either. The teachers and other staff will be used to it.