Back in 1969,48 percentof tyke in America walk or biked toschool , compared with a paltry 13 percent in 2009 . But they ’re lose a caboodle by not doing this . Researchout of the University of Granada in Spain indicates that kidskin should commute independently , when possible , to reap some pretty significant benefits .
The research worker surveyed 745 children ages 6 to 12 yr in Granada public schools to find out how they get to shoal every day and how safe they palpate in their specific Department of Transportation choice . The survey did n’t assess distance move , butprevious researchby the same team among a exchangeable population of youngster ground that stock length was 874 meters ( about a half - mile ) . Just 3 per centum of the children in the sketch aged 6 to 7 long time old walk to school by themselves , compare with 9 percentage of 8- to 9 - class - old and 24 percent of 10- to 12 - year - olds .
For the older tiddler , take the air to school unaccompanied provided a lot of benefits . " We found that children who walked without adult superintendence reported higher safety percept , " explains lead researcher Manuel Herrador - Colmenero in an email interview . By safety perceptual experience , he imply that the children who take the air without grownup supervision in reality feel safer in their journeys than those who walked with one . " This might be produced because when they walk without adult they are responsible for the route decided , " he says , summate that the kids also gain a better reason of the potential risks ( as oppose to swear on an adult to handle everything ) , which in turn makes them feel more comfy and responsible . " When nipper trip severally [ they ] have to learn social skills and they are responsible for of their decisions , " he explain .
Many Americans bewail the fact that child today seldom take the air to school . But the declination is more a role of shoal locating than of otiose , entitled kids . start in the 1970s , American schooltime became large and consequently had to be build up further from communities where more realm was usable . In 2009,31 percent of kidsbetween kindergarten and eighth grade lived within a mi ( 1.6 kilometers ) of school , down from 41 percent in 1969 . ( Nevertheless , only 35 per centum of kids who lived within a mile in 2009 walked or wheel to school . )
Sarah Nicholls , a nanny practician from Decatur , Georgia actively encourages her sons to choose the transportation method acting that work advantageously for their private personalities and matureness levels . Her youngest , at geezerhood 8 , is too young to exchange without grownup supervising in her opinion , and her 12 - year - old typically opts to take the schoolhouse bus . However , her center shaver , age 10 , prefers to walk whenever possible , although not without some safety parameters .
" His school is 1.3 miles [ 2 kilometers ] from our planetary house and he has to cross two busy roads and railroad track , so I had to verify of the exact hour for the crossing guards before I ’d lease him take the air , " she says . " I do n’t permit him walk alone [ some of the year ] in the dawn because it ’s still sullen . "
The benefit have been significant so far . " He likes it because he feel independent and has the freedom to hang out in township with his friends after school , " she state . He also reports that he can focus better in class on the morning when he is able to walk to schooltime . " He gets intimately 3 miles of walking in a day [ when he walk both ways ] . "
So , what is an appropriate eld for children to walk to school by themselves ? Nicholls ' assessments based on both the age and maturity of her shaver are in line with what New York tiddler psychologistDr . Angela Reitersuggests . " A parent should measure a child ’s ability to follow focusing as well as their oecumenical cognitive acquisition . Does your child know leave behind from right-hand ? Do they understand multi - step counselling ? " she says via email .
Reiter believes 5 - class - olds are too young to take the air by themselves . " Children age 6 to 9 would be good traveling in a small grouping together . commonly by historic period 10 , a child is cognitively and emotionally quick to take the air alone , " she say .
In addition to the precautions Nicholls direct before allowing her Logos to take the air , like set the aloofness and confirm queer guard presence , Reiter also says to consider if there are abandoned buildings along the road and " personal safety , such as does your child realize the difference between a good stranger and a bad stranger ? If they want help , do they know how to notice it ( for example a shop clerk or police officer or neighbour they know ) ? "
And who should n’t walk to school by themselves ? " A child should not commute independently if they have a developmental delay or intellectual disability that would affect their ability to understand directions and safety prescript , " Reiter says . " Also , if your child ’s route is more than a mi , there are no sidewalks or numerous street crossings , walking to school may not be the best option . "
