The benefits of walking to school
Encouraging your child to walk to school has many benefits. 36
The rates of childhood obesity and illnesses such as type II Diabetes (糖尿病) can be prevented by a healthy dose of walking. 37 On average around half of all children do not do the minimum one hour a day of physical activity advised by the Health Education Authority. A quick walk to school can help them get their daily exercise and arrive at school or home, refreshed and energized.
38 There was very strong evidence that walking to school improves children’s social development. This related to social contacts, independence and road sense. The walkers reported a happy social experience. It is believed that getting a lift to school each day can lead to a child becoming lethargic (无生气的).
According to research, the average drive to school and back releases 800g of CO2 into the air. 39 If walking to school once a week can save 20 per cent of CO2 gas produced by driving every day, how much CO2 can be saved a year!
Last but not least, encouraging your child to walk to school will save you money. 40
Since walking to school has so many health, social, environmental and economical benefits, why not let your child walk from now on?
A. It is enough to blow over 60 balloons.
B. The following are some of them in different aspects.
C. Walking can have a positive effect on a child’s emotional health.
D. You will spend less money on transport fares or petrol of course.
E. Furthermore, 50 per cent of children still don’t regularly walk to school.
F. In fact, walking helps protect the body from many serious illnesses later on in life.
G. Parents, children and teachers are asked to think about the benefits of walking to school.