“Early morning exercise will keep you active for the entire day.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!
We are aware of the benefits of the morning walk for adults. It keeps us with a healthy body and mind. Keeps us active for the best part of the day. Be it a warm morning or cold breezy day, morning walk with kids is a must for us. A dose of fresh air and loads of sunshine is vital for babies and adults alike. The benefits of the morning walk are immense.
When my son, Pengin, was a few days old; my parents used to expose him with the early morning warm strands of the sun. This ritual continued for long. Once I returned Pune, I used a stroller and we roamed around a block. Soon, we ditched the stroller and adopted babywearing ways. Now Penguin is a toddler and runs around the block.
When I started this morning ritual of the walk, my objective was limited to a good dose of Vitamin D. Gradually I found many understated benefits of the morning walk. (Read on ). We would go outdoor around 8 AM or earlier, and stay out for at least 1 hour.
MODEST BENEFITS OF MORNING WALK WITH KIDS
Our morning walk is all about fun, creating memories and educational. We feed pigeons, chase butterflies, wave bye-bye to people and notice many every small action along the way.
Physical
As he started walking without any support around 13th month, he was new to the phase of enjoying freedom and independence. Every morning he chooses the path to explore and I follow. He either picks to walk along the road or go to park nearby. Walking has promoted his stability and strength. He can independently climb up the stairs to slide and also climb up the slide from the age of 11 months. Now he can easily climb 3 floors of stairs to reach our apartment. There are days when we even climb up to 6 floors up and down.
Independence and sense of freedom boost toddler’s self-esteem. Also, it increases their attention, focus and sense of physical awareness.
Social
Penguin, my son, is a shy child. He still takes his own sweet time to give a smile to strangers. But thanks to a daily social interaction the ice is breaking. Kids love to play with other children irrespective of age. While same cannot be said for their liking towards grownups. During our daily walk we interact with kids walking to school or waiting for bus, office goers, shopkeepers, other morning walkers, animals and birds too.
Now Penguin is becoming a social butterfly. He waves bye-bye to every passer-by, calls animals and birds, says good morning with a nod to regular faces.
Cognitive and speech development
Starting from Penguin’s infancy during the walk I used to point and show everything to him with a description. Like a tree, car, bike, kids, swing, flower, everything. Like when we spot a flower I said a red colored rose or white hibiscus or a brown dog or a red car. Also, the shape of stones or pavement floor etc. Now he can recognize animals, birds, objects etc. Along with animal recognition, he responds with animal sounds. We even smell a flower or two.
It is not a secret that morning walk boosts our immune system. A day starting with a walk by outdoor (especially unpolluted nature) keeps kids calm, happy and healthy.
There are few unexpected benefits for mothers or caregivers who follow around the active kids. An active walk with kids helps to get rid of postpartum weight loss. With a regular walk, one would surely feel happier and lighter. And the unspoken benefit for mothers is, the boon, kids get tired and sleep giving moms a few moments of much-needed “ME time”.
With so many benefits of
FUN IDEAS TO MAKE MORNING WALK INTERESTING:
- Explore a new pathway. When Penguin gets bored with the same 2 – 3 path options to walk, we walk-around another block.
- Take a ball to play.
- Make bubbles. Always a hit!
- Collect fallen flowers or pluck a few fresh ones.
- Gather nature around. Twigs, rocks, sand, flowers, fallen leaves, etc
- Take a book. Though one can’t read and walk, yet take a break and read one. I use to take Eric Carle’s book of words and match with things around.
- Do a treasure hunt.
- Engage in some learning activity
P.S. Always remember to dress the kids appropriately for the walk. Also, avoid taking kids under the harsh sun.
Are you also a morning walker? What do you do during your walks with kids? Do share your ideas.
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Agree that morning walk is the best exercise that everyone can do. But I really don’t know that it also helps cognitive and speech development for kids
Thanks for reading. Talk, talk, talk, Papri 🙂 Talk about your walk and things you cross.
Never thought about this, seriously! Lemme see if I can do this with my elder kid. Love the idea btw ?
Wow! I would love to know your experience Nimmy. Thanks for reading.
The benefits of morning walks cant be argued. That’s why the older gen considered it the best exercise. This reminded me of summer vacations when my Darji would take us for early morning walks everyday in chandigarh. ?
Lucky you Shubhs! I never got that chance with my grandparents. However, I used to accompany them to vegetable mandi. Thanks for reading.
We love our morning walks too. Not only is it great for bonding between mum and son its a fabulous way to learn practically such aa colours, nature , numbers ,birds etc. As you said helps with socialization too.
Glad to know your thoughts Sharvari. Thanks for reading.
That’s a lovely thing to do with kids. Its so hot now I dont feel like taking him out in the mornings. But its a good habit to develop and help kid’s cognitive development.
Temperature is rising. Try tweaking it. Thanks for reading.
Morning school doesn’t permit us a walk everyday but I do take my kids out for walks. Love our conversations and bonding during that time.
That’s great that little effort matters. Thanks for reading.
Yes dear, my son is no more a baby but I still walk him to his school, that’s a ritual both of us love
Fabulous Roma! Thanks for reading.
I casually take my little one for walks every day and get to understand so much about her..her inquisitiveness, her curiosity and her Interests.
That’s great. Every effort counts. Thanks for reading.
This is such a sweet post! We usually take our son for evening walks but the benefits remain the same.
Evening walks benefits are the same except the Vit D. It’s great to go on walks anytime. Thanks for reading.
This post is motivating me to spend some extra morning minutes with my son. I love the idea of the variation too.
Thanks for reading and appreciation Deepika.
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