This back to school season enjoy more time to connect with your child over the walk to and from school. It’s great for the environment, while providing physical and mental health benefits for you and your child.

Perhaps the most beneficial part of taking an active approach to the trip to school is that it provides a chance to connect and nurture your relationship with your child. On walks home, you can engage your child in conversations about their day and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. Often times things will come up organically that you may not have thought to ask about and it provides a time and space where your child knows your attention is focused on them. This experience provides strong social ties that can have a positive mental and physical impact on both you and your child and may help manage stress and anxiety while boosting self-esteem.

Taking an active approach to transportation can also be seen as helping preserve a culture of childhood. Instead of getting place to place as quickly as possible, a process enjoyed by adults, kids can discover, explore, and find joy in their newfound knowledge when they walk or cycle to wherever they may be headed. This allows them to experience the world in a childlike way that is not connected to adult schedules.

And it doesn’t need to stop at school! You can take an active approach to transportation for any neighborhood activity. Try walking or cycling to the neighborhood grocery store, a nearby friend or family member’s house, or to parks and community events.