To think 1.3 miles isn't too far for a 4 year old to walk?

[LlamaFace19]

Hi all. DD started Reception this week. Her primary school is 1.3 miles away and we walk as I'm trying to become more active and this seems like a good way to get some steps in! It takes anywhere from 25-40 minutes depending on how much DD dawdles. She used to walk a mile to nursery. She manages the walk fine and actually seems to enjoy it as it's a good chance to natter! But I was recently talking to a friend who seemed horrified at the distance and said it was far too much of a trek for a 4 year old? I don't think it is, especially for DD who has been walking a mile to nursery since 3, but what do you think?

YANBU - It's fine
YABU - Too far

I think it entirely depends on the child.
If yours is happy with the walk then keep doing it. I think it's a really positive thing. If it is too much she will let you know....

My just turned 4 year old would struggle with that twice a day, every day (and we're always in a rush). But if your child is happy with it, great!

The government considers 2 miles to be walking distance at 4yo.

It’s 1.1 miles to my sons school and I look forward to being able to walk it more with him.
It’s what they’re used to too. I often park halfway because of time constraints and a lack of pavement at the beginning of the journey.

Its obviously fine, unless the child has some sort of physical disability

It sounds fine and great you can get her to walk like that. I’m trying to build up my 3.5yr olds walking and it’s a real battle. Walking 1.3 miles with him is tortuous unless we’re somewhere very exciting but I’d hope it wouldn’t be so much of a struggle by 4.

Last year my 3 year old would go 1.1 miles to nursery, home at lunch time and then to school and back at 3 to pick up her sister. She struggled with pace at first so we mostly used a balance bike or scooter. Now she happily walked the same journeys.

I find it more concerning that there are 3/4 year olds still using strollers on the school run to collect the older siblings.

It's absolutely fine. Personally, I'd be more concerned if she couldn't manage it at that age (disabilities etc. aside, obviously).

I don't think it's too far but it will impact tiredness if it's twice per day. Could see scoot or use a balance bike?

It ought to be fine especially as they’re used to it. Must say I’d take the scooter or it would take absolutely ages for my just 4 year old to walk that far after school.

It's a decent distance, but my 4yo has walked that far plenty of times. If your DD is used to it and happy walking back even after a day at school then crack on!

My 2 year old does 1 mile each way most days. Slightly over that should be completely feasible for the vast majority of 4 year olds, baring any massive health concerns.

I think that's fine, but it might depend if she's just turned 4 vs nearly 5. And she might find it a bit harder in the afternoons when she's tired before she gets used to it. But given that she's used to doing a mile for nursery I definitely don't think it's "far too much of a trek".

I don't drive so have always walked or used public transport. Mine walked that far every day for nursery and school. I did take the buggy just in case but it was mainly used for carrying book bags, lunch boxes and the obligatory sculpture made out of cereal boxes

It's not too far at all.

IF you're just walking with one child then you can get an adult scooter and put the child on the front bit then you scoot. Helpful when you're running late!

(I have twins and one isn't confident on a scooter so we do this to keep up with the other twin!)

My DD walked this distance to her brothers school and back throughout infants. She is now at the same junior school. She was always absolutely fine, we have always walked a lot, it would only take 25 mins most days. I found it alarming how many people would be surprised that she could do it. I feel like we have forgotten we are mammals and meant to be moving. It’s more weird, in my opinion, that children are asked to sit down, inside all day.

@WeWereInParis she's almost exactly 4.5, so neither? 😂

You’ve said she manages it fine and seems to enjoy it, so why does it matter what anyone else thinks?

Is the friend regularly driving this distance with kids?
Could she be not wanting to look bad for driving such a short distance an using DC as an excuse?

I also have a 1 year old DS but he goes in the buggy, obviously. I suppose I could get a buggy board just in case she is knackered at the end of the day, but so far she's been fine.

If she’s managing she’s managing. I wouldn’t bother with a buggy board now. She’ll just be on and off the bloody thing (if she’s like my DC!!)

@kitsuneghost I think so, she only lives a stones throw from me and drives, but she has more DC than me so it's probably quite hectic and easier to chuck them in the car!

That distance is totally fine. Like others have mentioned you could consider a bike or scooter if needed but if she is managing fine then I wouldn't worry what others say.

Just looked on google maps and that is the same distance DD (now 16) used to walk to nursery, perhaps we invariably walked a little further because there was a park mid-way. She probably did this from age 3.

If you want to speed things up, get a microscooter (even if you end up dragging her on it).