Memorable School Walks

by Steve Bennett

Kids 6 - 10

Required:
Just your time

How well can your kids visualize the route to school?

Find out with this activity. Ask your children to list all the words they think they'll see on signs during their walk or commute to class. Encourage them to visualize the exact route they usually take, and to picture each building, intersection, and street they pass.

You can help younger kids find the answers by asking them questions such as, "What does the eight-sided red sign at the end of our street say?" "What's the name of the building with a flagpole in front of it?" "What's the name of the ice cream parlor we sometimes stop in on the way home from school?" To increase the challenge, ask your kids to list the signs in the order in which they encounter them.

The next morning, your children can observe the signs on the route and see how well their visual memories served them. And if they enjoyed the exercise, you can extend it to trips to the library, grocery store, or any other places you frequently visit.

One thing is certain. When you've done this a few times, your children will become walking compasses!

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