Walk this way: Gabi, 11, Emma, 11, Billy, 9, and Cailin, 10, walk to St Therese Primay School on Wednesday.
ERIN PEARSON
SURF Coast school children hit the pavement this week for Walk to School Day.
The program, now in its sixth year, seeks to make “active transport” a daily routine to improve fitness, friendships, the environment and children’s confidence.
A record 70,000 primary school children from 363 schools across the state participated in the Victoria Walks event last year.
Victoria Walks executive officer Ben Rossiter said walking to school could be as important as lessons in the classroom.
Worrying statistics showed that one in four children aged five to 17 were overweight or obese, he said.
“Research shows that active children are healthier, happier, more self-confident and socially connected than kids who don’t get much exercise,” Dr Rossiter said.
“It’s vitally important to encourage children to be physically active and walk from a young age to put them on track for better health in later life.
“We need to challenge our ingrained habits to ensure walking to school becomes a regular, everyday activity to improve kids’ health, help the environment, broaden social networks and build self-confidence.”
