“Let’s take a walk around the block,” I called to the three-year-olds.
“Yes!” Boy and Girl cried. They already wore their shoes in anticipation.
For some reason, this is an exciting adventure when they visit.
It’s also perfect for after dinner when they need to move and their parents won’t return for a few hours.
So, I slipped into my sandals and we moseyed (me) and scrambled (them) out the front door.
What’s so interesting about a walk around the block?
When you’re three years old, everything is novel and interesting. Every activity is an opportunity to learn or do something new.
I’m not sure how many times we’ve walked around my block, but they’re always ready to go, and it gives Grandpa a break.
The Mother’s Almanac inspired me to take children on walks many years ago with this little story about Halloween:
“It took our Nell to teach us that the dark is as magical to babies and first graders as it is to other romantics, for she was the one who said she hardly could wait to trick or treat on Halloween.
“Daddy takes me, ” she said, “and a walk in the dark with my daddy is the best sort of walk there is.”
The Mother’s Almanac p. 150
We first took our older grandchildren on a walk in the dark–with flashlights!–several years ago.
They loved it!
I’m not ready to release the younger two into the dark with a flashlight, yet, but that time will come.
Meeting the neighbors
Our first stop was across the street, which is not technically part of a walk around the block, but we needed the warm up.
I introduced them to/reminded them of “Mr. Pete.”
Girl mumbled out all the syllables of her beautiful name. Boy stuck to the basics–though he usually provides all three of his names.
Mr. Pete was thrilled, and I reminded them of the clever birdhouses he makes. The three-year-olds know about birdhouses.
When he waved us away to continue our stroll, he muttered, “I’ve got to speak to my daughters about grandchildren.”
Boy stopped to admire Mr. Dave’s boat and the amiable fisherman invited us in to pick up a piece of fresh salmon for dinner tonight (Look at the advantages of taking Adorables on a walk around the block!).
He also showed the toddlers pictures of our slab’s origin–an ocean salmon bigger than they are!
A walk around the block with nature
One advantage to living in a tract housing neighborhood is all sorts of plants and vegetation flourish, or at least grow.
“Who sees a plumbago?” I called as we crossed the street.
Boy immediately pointed at the blue-flowered bush.
(That impressed me–I only learned the plant’s name a few years ago, myself).
This toddling duo–though they are running now–can identify all sorts of flowers as a result of our occasional rambles around one square block. (And across the streets to Mr. Dave and Mr. Pete).
Agapantus?
Nailed it. (Then I made them repeat the name. Some stuttering occurred).
Teaching them to observe
In addition to the exotic thrill of walking around the block, I use these times as an opportunity to teach them how to observe.
As we walked–or they ran ahead of me–I asked them to look around.
“Where’s the flag?”
Easy after so much practice.
Boy struck a superhero pose as fast as possible to point. His female cousin often beats him to it.
(Typical female, she shrugged the first time Boy “won.”)
They both sniggered when I asked about naked ladies, but then look perplexed.
(I figured Amaryllis Belladonna sounded too complicated, even if I could pronounce it properly!).
Per Mr. Pete’s suggestion, they kept their eyes open watching for dogs (1) and kitties (0).
Nestled behind the plumbago, they found a water bowl for visiting dogs (with me wondering if coyotes also used it), and a now empty bowl that earlier offered dog treats.
Boy loved the idea of leaving dog treats for visiting pups. “This is a nice house.”
Girl loved the decorated stones.
Exercise opportunities–for brain and body
What is that white contraption on the corner with the blue top?
They had no idea.
So, I got to explain a fire hydrant and how important it is–particularly in my neighborhood.
Both children and their families had experienced evacuation several years ago, and everyone in my community loves firefighters and first responders.
Even preschoolers understood too well.
“But why are these coins here?” asked Boy.
Girl tried to collect them–but they didn’t move.
That perplexed both children.
I couldn’t pick them up either. Who would glue coins to a fire hydrant? And why?
The children walk closer to the ground and even though they’ve traveled around my block before, they always spy something new.
When I pointed to the stepping stones in the median, they wanted to know what a stepping stone was.
I demonstrated how you walked between them, one foot on each stone all the way across.
We spent more time there than I expected. Girl hopped between them, too–except she kept pausing to clear the excess pebbles off the stones.
They also walked on brick walls, usually holding my hand.
Closing the circle
As they sprinted up my street ten minutes later, they stopped to greet Mr. Pete again, this time on our side of the street talking to my new neighbor.
“Look, Grammy!” Boy called. “There’s your house!”
Girl stopped at my Little Library out front, wanting me to open the door.
No children’s books, alas, that day.
(My Little Library gets a lot of action. The neighbors enjoy seeing people stopping by.)
Boy, meanwhile, was thinking. “Did we walk in a circle?”
I laughed. “Yep. Twenty houses and we’re home again. Shall we go see Grandpa?”
“Yes!”
Girl almost beat him to the door.
Tweetables
The importance of a walk around the block with preschoolers. Click to Tweet
Bored toddlers? How about a walk around the block? Click to Tweet
I absolutely love this! As you know I also walk with my adorables as often as possible!
A slow amble is perfect on a summer’s eve, isn’t it? LOL