Physical activity is important for children and adults of all ages.
Being active as a family can benefit everyone.
Add StoryWalk to your family summer activity list this year.
StoryWalk was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont. Her idea was to laminate the pages from a childrens story book and place them on stakes along a walking path for children and adults to read together. As you stroll down the path reading, you and your family can get multiple benefits from this activity.
Reading out loud
Whether you read to your child, your child reads to you, or you take turns, it expands a childs interest in books.
It also increases vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and attention span.
Communication and listening skills are also developed when discussing pictures in the book, what is going on in the story, and predicting what might happen next.
Relationship building
Besides being educational, reading books together can strengthen the bond between the child and parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Spending frequent, brief amounts of time involved in child-preferred activities is one of the most powerful things parents can do to connect with their children.
Get outside
Studies have shown cognitive function and mood improvement occurs when children and adults spend time in nature.
Being outside increases creativity and imagination, stimulates your five senses, gets you up and moving, helps you think better, improves your attention span, and reduces stress and fatigue.
Built-in movement
Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity each day while children need 60 minutes. Beyond the number of minutes of physical activity needed, we all need more movement throughout our day. One of Anne Fergusons goals was to create an activity where parents had to be as active as the children and not sit on the sidelines. Children are more likely to be physically active if their parents are.
Storyline of the book
The last benefit is expanding on the storyline for learning, experiences, and application. Some of the StoryWalk books in our Extension Office promote financial literacy, helping children learn about the many sides of money management.
Families have busy schedules, StoryWalks are accessible when you are ready and take as much or as little time as you want.
K-State Research and Extension is partnering with libraries, schools, and recreation centers to bring StoryWalk to your community this summer. For dates and locations, visit southwind.ksu.edu.
