Old Fashioned Traditions, Back In Style

Want to get your children to be more active? Try an old fashioned tradition- walking to school. Yes, walking to school is the new challenge being offered up by schools everywhere including some in Colorado City. They kicked off a six week program to get kids moving, encouraging students to walk, bike, skateboard or ride a scooter to school. To promote participation volunteers handed out fliers, temporary tattoos, stickers, healthy snacks and other small prizes. Incentives for participants include prizes like new athletic shoes (what kid doesn't want a new pair of shoes), a bicycle, or Bike Camp pass from local retailers.

Let's make this our challenge! Instead of letting your children take the bus, or driving them to school, encourage them to try an alternative form of transportation--their feet.

Encourage your child to ride their bike or walk to school. Make it a family activity and walk or bike along with them. This provides additional safety.

If your child is not willing, offer a step by step guide. Make it a goal to walk or bike to school one day a week then, as the weeks go on, increase the days your child walks/bikes. Set benchmarks and rewards for achieving each goal, whether it is a night out with family or a new pair of athletic shoes. Whatever your reward may be, get your child fired up about being active! With small step-by-step goals, not only will your child get moving but they will learn to set goals and achieve them.

As parents and teachers we owe it to our children to give them the best life we can. Try this out in your home or classroom, make it a challenge. Offer prizes and rewards for participation. It is time to make a change, let's get moving and return to the good ol' days where walking to school everyday was a must--and lots of fun! Return to Previous Page