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

You have no idea how far they have come/what their schedule is.

I did just that today but I had been on a day out with my 4 year old (late reception start) and the only way to get to school pick up on time was to use the buggy to walk from the station (1 mile away)

I know some people who have things timed such that they need to do this to get from nursery to school and not be late

Your 20 month old can walk a mile? Really? How long does it take them and is this without picking them up at all?

I have honestly never seen an under 2 walk a mile

This. A 4 year old should be able to walk 2 miles in one go. You could always let DC take a scooter. If you do it everyday DC will soon build up stamina. When it's freezing cold in winter if icy or snow I'd get a taxi.

My DGS used to do the child's parkrun of 2km running all the way with his Mum when he was 4.

It never ceases to amaze me that parents in our village drive their kids the 1/2 mile to/from school because the little darlings would be far too tired to walk. But then on the way home they stop at the local playpark where the children run around for an hour.

It's fine, beneficial even! My two year old walks that distance regularly.

Totally fine, and very good for both you and DD physical and mental health. Could she ride a scooter or bike if you need to be quicker?

My son is in year one and there’s a kid still picked up in a buggy, although rumour has it she uses the buggy for shoplifting after school.

It's amazing that she does this. My son would never have done it at 4 and my other son refuses to walk even 100m without moaning. It's such a good habit to get into.

I'm amazed that some people can't comprehend that there's a big difference between taking your 3yo for a 5 mile "puddlewalk" at the weekend, when you're energised and have all the time in the world to make it fun and stop for a snack or to look at stuff, and the twice-a-day forced route march to school along boring pavements and with bags to carry in all weathers.

All respect to those with 9 month old babies who go hill-crawling at weekends or whose preschoolers spent the summer break hiking the coastal paths but that has zero to do with whether a reception age child walking up to a couple of miles to school twice a day every school day is likely to be doable (and if so, not excruciating) for a particular family. That will depend on the child's fitness, how much time the parents have, the route to school, local traffic etc.

It's motivation. My DC can play for hours at a playground or soft play tearing around the place, but often sulks about the walk to school, which tbf is boring, traffic-filled, polluted, suburban and usually stressful because we're running late. I can see my DC's point and sympathise, but I only drive if I can't avoid it so I'm afraid it's tough cheese for them.

If I'm going for a run, I much prefer to run with friends in pleasant surroundings rather than on the street. I imagine it's not much different for children... they like to expend their energy in what for them is a fun way.

@Goldbar They could walk to school with their friends (and parents) and make it a sociable occasion. There used to be a walking bus but sadly it folded as the volunteer's children moved up to Secondary school and no-one wanted to take it over.

Mine walked and scooted from 3 years old 1-2 miles easily. It sounds far but when you actually look at it isn’t really. The scooter was handy as they could be pushed if tired. I think if you live in a city you take walking long distances for granted but outside of cities where you rely more on cars the distances probably seem further and more difficult to walk

We don't live particularly near any of their friends (not same street or anything) and tbh our mornings are all sufficiently hectic with different arrangements (bicycle with trailer, breakfast club, childminder, varying age siblings to drop at other schools/nursery) that cobbling together a regular arrangement is impractical. We do come across some of my DC's friends on our route every now and again, and it does make a big difference to my DC's enthusiasm for the trip.

Mine does 4-5 in an average day- she did 6 yesterday. She's fine.

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

Not really - the guidance covers children of compulsory school age - from age 5.
They also say this;

Where a child lives within the statutory walking distance (and is not eligible for free travel on any of the other grounds set out in this guidance) the parent is responsible for arranging their child’s travel to school. There is no expectation that the child will walk. It is for the parent to determine what arrangements would be suitable for their child.

If she's got company to walk with wtf is anyone else got an opinion on this that you'd listed to?

Oh l, well if 'the government' thinks it, it must be 💯% trustworthy 😂. They are always correct in their stats.

That's really not a long distance for a 4yr old, kids can walk for much much further!

Depends on the child. My 4 year old won’t walk 10ft without moaning about being tired and asking for a carry so that would be a hellish walk for us.

It sounds like it’s a walk your DD is already pretty much doing though and if she’s happy and it’s a nice time for you to chat then I don’t see the issue!

Those of you that have non disabled four year olds that would struggle or whinge at walking this distance, I am surprised you see the solution as avoiding the walk, rather than introducing the walk into their daily routine to build up stamina - how are they going to build up stamina unless they do it? Surely you are going to want them to be able to transport themselves distances by foot?

but every walk is different, every day you have a different conversation, and it really is a tiny, tiny, tiny distance we are talking about here. A fraction of the distance you would cover in a weekend walk