Children Vote With Their Feet As Autumn Term Kicks Off

We want to walk - it's fun, sociable and healthy, kids tell parents

Nearly half (48%) of children would like to walk or bike to school even more if they could, says a new survey carried out by specialist child research agency, ChildWise, in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT).

Over 1,000 children in primary and secondary schools across England were questioned as part of the Government's campaign to promote safe and healthy travel to school.

Kids see the school run as a great way to be sociable, with nearly half (47%) saying that meeting up and talking to friends is the best thing about walking or biking to school. Nearly a third of children (29%) think it's a great way of getting some exercise and just over one fifth (22%) like getting some fresh air or sunshine on the journey. Almost six in ten of the children questioned (59%) walk to school on most days.

Some of the main findings of the survey include:

• Half (51%) of those who usually walk or bike go with friends, but just over a fifth (21%) still go with their parents
• Those who usually travel by car are much less likely to go with friends (12%)
• Of those children who usually walk or bike, over six in ten (63%) take up to ten minutes to get to school
• For those that travel by car, just over three quarters (77%) says the journey takes the same amount of time.

Professor Stuart Biddle, Professor of Exercise & Sport Psychology, Loughborough University said:

"Building exercise into your day is all-important, especially for children. Even leaving the car at home and walking half an hour a day is going to benefit them greatly and prepare them well for adulthood. Parents should listen to what their kids want and try to encourage this, wherever possible.

"It's great that kids can see that the school journey gives them a chance to do some exercise but in an everyday way; while they are catching up on the latest news and gossip with their friends".

Walking to school

Left, right, left, right…. what kind of walker are you?

Answer the following questions to find out if you are a sporty stroller, or prefer to strut your stuff on the walk to school.

1. When you are on your way somewhere, such as school, and are in a hurry to get there in time, do you:

a) Keep your pace steady and remain relaxed - there's no point getting stressed out as you'll always get there in the end.
b) Keep a steady pace but lengthen your stride - you might swing your arms more aggressively to make it more of a morning 'work out'.
c) You can't walk that fast as your shoes won't allow it - looking good on the walk is far more important than rushing and making yourself hot and bothered.

2. Walking is a great way of being part of the scenery around you. When you are out and about, do you:

a) Always look about you and notice new things - the seasons changing, people going about their business - if you see somebody you know, you'll stop and have a chat.
b) You remain focus on your destination - walking is all about getting from a to b, which means not getting distracted and making yourself late.
c) You might look around you and notice the odd thing but often it's at other people or to see if people are looking at ~you!~

3. Research shows that children, in particular, see the walk to school as a great way of catching up with friends. When you're walking, do you:

a) Prefer to walk with a few friends - we catch up on the latest gossip and chat all the way, it's the only time we get to talk uninterrupted.
b) Prefer to walk alone - it's difficult to find people who walk at your pace, so you like to just get on with it and focus on walking, rather than chatting.
c) You prefer walking in a big group of friends - it's a good chance to catch up and pose a bit!

Mostly a's. "Steady stroller"
When it comes to walking you are most definitely a 'steady stroller'. Walking gives you the chance to enjoy your surroundings and really make the most of your environment. You see walking as a relaxing past time which gets you out and about and even gives you a chance to catch up with friends. If you are using walking as a way of keeping fit, however, you should sometimes try to step up the pace. If you slouch along, you won't be getting as much benefit. You should also make sure you have the right posture when walking - good posture, with a straight back and open chest for the best breathing position!

Mostly b's. "Super-fit strider"
The super-fit strider! People can hardly see you walking past, as the speed you travel at means you tend to pass them in a blur. You are really making the most of the 'work out' opportunity of walking, ensuring that you are keeping up the pace and swinging your arms to help the upper body. However, don't forget to remember that walking is fun and enjoyable. It's a great opportunity to chat to friends and catch up, or even just to have some 'time out' to have a think.

Mostly c's "Super-confident strutter"
You are a 'super-confident strutter' and you don't like to take walking too seriously. You can see the benefits of doing so (or else you wouldn't bother!) but for you it's much more about having another chance to get out there and pose a bit with your mates. There's nothing wrong with that, either. Make sure, however, that you do try to wear shoes that are sensible for walking - they might not be the latest fashion, but they will help your feet and back in the long run! You like to look good so, sometimes, you might want to walk with fewer people and go a little bit faster - you could even end up walking yourself fit.