Outdoors writer and primary school teacher Rachel Crolla, co-author of a new child-oriented guide to the Lake District, explains why having outdoor adventures with the children is more important than ever.
Tell me about it. I can't believe how many people, mainly kids these days are dependant on their phone and or the amount of time they use them for. You can't get any conversation out of them either unless you call or text because they don't know how to communicate with others without the use of a phone.
I have a basic daily objective for my kids (4 and 5.5 y old) since the start: I want them to collapse in bed at 8pm latest, without a word, without a noise. And the only efficient way to achieve that is for them to be outside as much as possible, comes rain or shine.
The only issue that I had not forseen is that they are getting more and more stamina...
Nice article. It's pretty much the approach I take with my kids. Mini adventures and exploring nature. It's not the big days and challenging routes I used to do, but great fun and really rewarding... apart from the days when you get it wrong and overstretch them. There is one particular day that will stay with me for a long time and I nearly gave up trying to get them outdoors! We persevered though and all good now. I guess like anything, you sometimes overestimate abilities, but at least it helps find the boundaries!
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