Tips for getting 2.5 yo to walk outside

[monkeymama]

Hi ladies! new dcg started with me last week. everything is going really well except our morning walk to bus stop. this girl has always been pushed in stroller or carried. this is not an option for me. she needs to walk alongside the stroller. my street does not have sidewalks so this is a real safety issue. she walks a couple steps and then trys to wander off or stops and bursts into tears. looking for some tips/ phrases to help. thanks!

[Dreamalittledream]

2 things came to mind...are her shoes comfortable? And try attaching a strap for her to hold. This worked great for me. She needs to know that staying with you is non-negotiable.

[Artsand crafts]

I use one of those safety devices that you strap one end the child's wrist and the other end is attached to the stroller or your wrist. They still are requested to hold the stroller or someone hand to avoid falls. At least I have the peace of mind that nobody will run away and have an accident.

[momofnerds]

I would get a wagon, I think it would be different if you had sidewalks but since you don't I would put her in a wagon for saftey. I bought mine from TSC and it has the rubber wheels and they make pulling so much easier. Its worth the money.

[cfred]

She should be able to walk by 2.5. At my old location, in the country, once kids turned 3, they walked 4km every morning during non-snowy months. Surely a 2.5 yr old should be able to get to the school. Yes, a wagon would be helpful, but if that isn't going to work, here's what I did:

We had 'Safety Rules' and made a bit of a game out of them. We talked about the safety rules as we got ready to go to start. Whenever a car was coming, I'd yell 'CAR' and everyone had to move off the road and 'Freeze like a popsicle, snowflake, whatever frozen thing we'd picked for the day. The rule was to strike their pose and their feet couldn't move until the car had passed. When we had to cross, one child was picked for the head of the line and that child was responsible for getting us across safely (of course not really, but they felt like it). I would ask what the first rule was (Look all ways with our eyes) - Do you see any cars? No? What's next? Listen with our ears - Do you hear any cars? No? Great! Will we run as fast as we can? No, good. Will we hop like bunnies? NO? Great! How will we get across? Walking feet! Terrific! Show us how to cross safely.

You get the idea.......anyway, I found the more kids felt it was a game and that they were doing a good job and participating, the more successful it was. It takes some training and time, but once well established, runs like clockwork. Granted, this was in a rural setting. Not sure how fun this would be if there's a lot of traffic

[monkeymama]

a wagon is not an option. im already using a triple stroller hence why she is walking. usually around 2 i take the kids out of the stroller and start practise walking. ive never had any issues. she just seems oblivious to the cars and safety hazards around her. i may try the game cfred thanks for the suggestion.

[Naftafia]

I find somedays the kids really don't want to be bothered with the walk to school, which I completely understand because some days I would rather stay home and continue playing as well. On those days we sing a silly little song on the way to school, it's french so I doubt it would help but translated it's kinda like "here we go, here we go, here we go, we go, we go..... where are we going? and they scream school, Why are we going and they scream to pick up x and y." this gets them in a good mood and they forget that they did not feel like it in the first place

Specific to this child, I would strongly recommend, as others did, that she either hold the stroller or a rope for safety if she wanders. At least with the safety issue addressed you could focus on distracting her with songs, games, observations of your surrounding etc.... I have a child now almost 4, who still can't walk alongside the stroller as he is so easily distracted. Although he clearly knows all the rules and safety concerns, he is simply distracted by everything so he must, at all times hold the stroller or a rope attached to it.

[cfred]

You're welcome Monkeymamma. I hope it helps. I've found, in most situations, kids are more receptive when it's made to be fun and they're involved in the process. Good luck!

[Momof4]

Really? 2.5? I have a 17 month old who is practicing walking long distances right now because we have a new baby starting who is taking his place in the stroller on Monday. I use the backpacks attached to my wrists and this little peanut is now going to be one of the big kid walkers. I start them young! But they do have to start slowly and go short distances to work up the strength in their little legs.

[KellyP]

I have a walk-a-dile. It attaches to the child and helps keep them in line and walking. If one kid stops the rest will keep going and basically "make" the other kids keep going too.