27 Raring2go! This year’s wildlife theme will take pupils on a journey to transform their local walking environment, while discovering the great benefits of walking and wheeling to school. Colourful wildlife characters will accompany pupils along the way encouraging them to travel actively to school every day of the week. Classmates will work together to make as many active journeys as possible, tracking their progress each day on the classroom wallchart and earning stickers as they go. Each day, the Walk with Wildlife challenge will teach pupils about important themes linked to walking such as: inclusion, sustainability, health, mindfulness and friendship. Last year, over 750 schools across the UK took part. Living Streets is hoping 2023 will be their biggest year yet! Walking is the easiest, cheapest, and most accessible form of exercise, so why wouldn’t we encourage more children to do more of it? Walking is not only good for children’s bodies, but also for their mind and mood. 15% of children aged 10-15 demonstrate symptoms of mental ill health (ONS, 2018). But the potential mental health benefits of encouraging your children to walk to school from a young age and instilling healthy habits for life are significant. One in five boys and one in six girls of primary school-age aren’t active for at least 60 minutes a day, the level recommended by the Chief Medical Officers to stay healthy and happy. But walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school is an easy way to increase those active minutes. Walking to school is a great way for children to spend time with their family, friends or carers. Getting active on the journey to school can boost a child’s imagination and creativity before the school day even begins, with it being shown that children who walk to school arrive feeling more refreshed, alert and ready to learn. Plus swapping the school run for a school walk, means there are fewer cars, less congestion and less air pollution outside the school gates. What’s not to love? Why not try walking every day and see the difference it can make to your lives? For more information, please visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw Walk to School Week 2023 Walk to School Week is an annual celebration of walking and all its benefits. It makes a return in 2023 and takes place from May 15th to 19th.
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