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

Our school is 1.6 miles away and we have walked there and back since age 4. My eldest is now year 5.
They managed just fine.

I used to walk 2 miles to school and back again from 4. Definitely not a horrendous distance for little legs, especially if she's used to it :)

Do schools not usually have cloakrooms for storing rain and cold weather clothing? Our school does. I'd talk to them if a little logistical issue like that was making it harder to get to school dressed comfortably and appropriately.

Schools should be doing all they can to encourage children to arrive by any means other than car. They've probably got a policy that says they're supposed to. It seems very basic to provide pegs for coats/trousers and somewhere to put wellies.

It amazes me people spend time commenting on something just to say it isn’t worthy of time spent commenting.

Agreed.
It's a different ball game doing the trudge day after day or after a long school day with homework to do to. Rather than for an occasional fun day out.

Ahh the hard laughter with which I read your post. I have three boys. In 2020 when lockdown was announced, my eldest was 6 and my twins were a few days from turning 4.

We ended up going for walks - LOOOOONG walks - because the alternative was spending *14 hours a day stuck in the house and microscopic 3sqm garden with them. We were easily clocking 5+ miles a day with them all. It became known as The Daily Complain.

Did they like it? Not especially. But by the autumn they all had legs like mountain goats 🐐

So, after that digression, no, 1 mile is not too far for a typical 4 year old to walk.

(In total for us it was 14 hours a day with them every day for for FOURTEEN WEEKS with no school or childcare available. I have still not recovered.)

(In total for us it was 14 hours a day with them every day for for FOURTEEN WEEKS with no school or childcare available. I have still not recovered.)

^

For us it was biking to the station (1 km away). We used to do it daily, and it used to take 3 hours there and back

YANBU. My just turned 3 year old has been able to do this distance for some time, up hill. On days off she can easily walk much further, including hikes around the Peak District and Scotland. Driving everywhere makes kids lazy.

Maybe you should mind your own business given that you have no idea of the reasons behind the use of them

I could, but it wouldn’t make for interesting discussion on a public forum if we all kept our opinions to ourselves.

If you've got an half hour walk to school you haven't always got the time for a 3 yo faffing and might use the buggy on the way there. Way back they can dawdle but when you are on a time limit I can totally understand sticking a toddler in a buggy!

Yes, there are often practical considerations. Just because a 3 or 4 year old is capable of walking a particular distance, doesn't mean circumstances are conducive to however that walk might look. If you've the luxury of them taking as long as they need to, fine.

YANBU
If the four year old has no physical disability which would impede their ability to walk, a mile is a perfectly normal distance.

We do it every day. Rain or shine.
It’s a good example to set and it’s good for us all.

My children would moan, but if yours is happy and you have the time keep it up, you’ll both be healthier in the long run! Alternatively you could get them a scooter to make it a bit easier for them while keeping your steps up!

She probably moves more than that in the playground! I think it is fine.

Ours is 0.9 and the 3 year old does there and back fine, but I think my newly reception DC would find that walk home difficult after a long school day. She'd be fine later in the year when it's less overwhelming though. I'd be inclined to bring a scooter for the way home at least.

I used to “park and stride” when I could with my DC (which was most days). It does them good to get a bit of exercise, and it’s also a nice time to chat, or practise times tables, or sing together, or whatever you all like doing.

As an Early Years Teacher I think this is great, children are capable of so much. I love that you can take a bit longer and dawdle sometimes, think of all the learning she’s getting along the way, as well as the physical benefits. Also doing it all year round is great for resilience and health. Some four year olds would never be able to, having not been given the opportunity to build up to it, but if she can and she’s happy then don’t stop! 💚

It’s absolutely fine. My 4 year old DD will barely walk the distance of our street but she has SN and refuses to walk. But my older children were walking over a mile from about age 2/3 and were very comfortable with it.

If your DD is happy and comfortable then I don’t see why you should stop the walks. I’d love for my DD to walk thar far, and if she could we definitely would!

Keep going with the walks!

I remember walking to infant school and Google maps tells me thats a similar distance. No car so no choice in tje matter. I went home for lunch too!

Mine was about 2 miles from school. She’d walk there in the morning, and after a long, exhausting day at school, she’d often sit in the buggy and sleep on the way home. She had the option.
Either that, or you could carry your DC when they’re too tired to walk.

DS3 can walk up to 2miles a go as we’ve always done it. I think it’s ok if they’re used to walking

You don't always know the reason for this. My son is autistic with zero danger awareness so walking for a mile would be tough for him. If he decided he didn't want to walk and collapsed on the floor it's really hard. But he doesn't have a visible physical disability. We have a special needs pram now