Content provided by Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health

October is International Walk and Wheel to School (IWALK & IWHEEL) month, an annual celebration that encourages students to travel actively throughout their school day. Walking or wheeling to school has physical and mental health benefits. It can improve physical activity levels, memory, attention in class, and academic performance. It also helps create a healthier environment by lowering air pollution from cars.

Adding walking or wheeling during the school day can be easy!

• Do you live close to school? You can celebrate by walking or wheeling all or even a part of your journey to school in the morning.

• Do you drive your child to school in the morning? Park a block or two away from the school entrance and walk the rest of the route together.

• If you live too far to walk or wheel to school, why not go for a walk or bike ride with friends or family on the weekend!

When walking or wheeling to school, please make sure to:

• Keep electronics in backpacks, so your child can stay aware of their surroundings.

• Stay alert when walking and crossing the street. Always use sidewalks and look both ways before crossing the road.

• Walk or wheel as a family, with a sibling or friend to make the trip safer and fun!