Parenting Tips You Must Know: Walking with your child: how to motivate him

Walking is a physical activity that allows you to move often and easily. It is part of a healthy lifestyle, both for children and their parents. Practicing it brings many benefits, and it costs nothing. However, children tire quickly from walking and are not always motivated. Here are some tips and tricks to make this activity a pleasant family time.

How long can a child walk?

The answer varies from child to child. Walking is a low to moderate-intensity physical activity. It depends on the terrain where it is practiced: flat or sloping. In any case, it requires physical effort from the child. It is therefore important to respect its limits according to its physical condition, endurance, but also its temperament. It is best not to compare your child to others of the same age who may have a different physical condition.

Endurance develops gradually. If your family has just started walking, start with short durations. You can lengthen the time of the activity as your child gains in physical capacity.

In addition to your child's physical condition, several factors influence the possible duration of the activity: the temperature, the elevation, the presence of friends, etc. A walk in the strong midday sun, on a sloping street, and alone with your parent, is likely to be shorter than a walk in the early evening, on flat ground, and in the company of a friend. It must also be accepted that the duration of the walk varies from day to day.

Tips for a successful walk

Always follow your child's pace. Young walkers have shorter legs than adults; their walking pace is therefore slower. It is important to have realistic expectations of your child's abilities.
Remember that family walking is not personal training. If you try to combine these two activities, you will get frustrated and your child will not be able to follow you. Schedule another time to walk alone if you want to exercise.
Watch your child's reactions to make sure the activity is fun. If you feel motivated, you can lengthen the walk. If he complains of being tired, know that he is probably tired or hungry. Children rarely lack energy. A game to divert his attention or a break to eat a snack should help him.
Take several breaks to give your child some freedom during your hike. He might like to jump or run to vary his exercise. Children like to move in intervals rather than long walks at the same pace.
Shorten the walk if necessary and have realistic expectations. Better to walk less for your child to feel proud. Having to use the stroller or your arms will never increase your child's endurance and may make the activity a failure.
Make sure your child has proper walking shoes to avoid foot pain. Sneakers worn in a physical education class at school or winter boots are good choices.
Bring a bottle of water and a nutritious snack that your child likes, such as nuts and dried fruit or cheese and crackers. For longer hikes, also plan spare socks.

Tips to motivate children to walk

Vary the location of the walk or the way you move (eg giant or mouse steps). You can also provide equipment to play while walking if a park is on its way: frisbee, ball, sidewalk chalk, etc. Indeed, children love to play and are attracted to novelty. The objective is therefore to avoid monotony.

Distract your child with simple games related to the environment in which you walk. For example, you can look for squirrels or count the number of dog walkers you come across. You can also do simple riddles with the answer nearby: "I'm rolling and I'm blue, can you see me?" Your child will need to look for the blue car you spotted.

Give your child a challenge. For example: “We walk to the park and then we take a break”, or even “Do you think we would be able to go to the grocery store? ".

Turn your walk into a micro-adventure, i.e. a fun, short outing, ideally including an objective (e.g.: walk a certain distance, climb a hill, pick up a list of objects along the way) and a reward (e.g. .: a sticker, a small collector's item, a game to play once you arrive at your destination, etc.).

Ask your child to photograph all the treasures he crosses on his way with your cell phone. Back home, he can relive his walk and show what he appreciated.

Collect treasures for a DIY project: rocks, leaves, flowers, or pieces of wood.

Choose a destination that appeals to your children, such as the park or grandparents' house.

The benefits of walking for children

Walking brings many physical benefits to your child because it mobilizes his whole body. It helps him develop his gross motor skills, increases his muscular endurance, and promotes his bone health. Since it is practiced outside, walking allows you to get plenty of oxygen.

For mental health, walking with your child is also very positive. Studies show that children who walk regularly feel calmer and happier. This physical activity is good for the mood in general. Children who walk to school would also have better concentration in class.

Socially, your child develops independence through walking. First, walking in town prepares him to behave well in the street: how to cross it and where, for example. He thus learns road safety and discovers his environment. By becoming familiar with the neighborhood, your child will one day be able to venture there alone with confidence since he will have landmarks.

The walk also provides an opportunity to talk with your child. It is a moment of complicity that you experience far from screens and other distractions that are in the house. It's a way to bond and show your child that you care about them and what they're going through or feeling.

To remember

Walking offers many benefits, both physical and psychological, to your child.

Fun and variety are the keys to success. Your child should see the activity as an opportunity to have fun.

Always respect your child's boundaries and remember that they may vary from day to day.

The Rich Life