Spooky Sunday
quality time
moments that matter
inbox treasure
A few months ago I received an intriguing email from my pediatrician’s office advertising a hike scheduled for doctors, patients, and families at the practice. Though we couldn’t attend the event, I loved the idea and saved the email in my inbox. Months later, after repeatedly forgetting and rediscovering it in my inbox, I finally re-read the email and checked out the Website for the associated organization: Kids in Parks
Photo by Hannah Troupe on Unsplash
the woods are my church
Because I’m a pediatric physical therapist, I’m always looking for inspiring ways to bring more physical activity into people’s lives. It’s my profession, but like many people who gravitate to the field, I’ve come here because of my own personal love of movement and the way it makes me feel, both physically and mentally. I will probably never run a marathon. You will probably never see me in a Cross Fit class. I used to get in trouble with my father because after I’d taken the ball from someone in a soccer game, I’d apologize (which, come to think of it, I kind of applaud him for). Point is, I’m not that kind of exercise zealot. But in my early twenties, in my first professional job, I experienced for the first time what many people experience day in and day out: I worked all the time in a sedentary job and had little time or money for exercise…and I was miserable. That realization pushed me to change my career path and, ultimately, to become a physical therapist. I believe in physical activity the way some people believe in a religion, and probably for much the same reason: It brings me insight and peace. A former colleague of mine, talking about her Sunday morning run in a local state park, put it well: “The woods are my church.” And, for her, the run was her prayer.
noticing the neighborhood
Perhaps not surprisingly I want my kids to share my appreciation for movement. I’m not particular about how it happens, I just want them to have a good relationship with their bodies and understand the advantage of its health. I also love to be outside, and luckily my children are of an age where they love these things too. Re-enter Kids in Parks.
Last week I searched through Kids in Parks for a work-related project and found a number of their fun seasonal lesson plans. I made copies for some of my patients as well as some for my kids and brought them home. Sunday morning was my morning to get up early with the kids (my husband and I trade off weekend mornings), so we went for a walk in the neighborhood and took along Kids in Parks’ Spook-tober guide. We had a blast.
Photo by Nicolas Picard on Unsplash
We found: crows swooping overhead, a stinky trash can, crooked trees bent by the recent hurricanes, spider webs caught in the morning light, brown leaves scattered on the ground…and more. My kids and I often take walks around the neighborhood, so this wasn’t a new thing, but I loved how the search for specific “spooky” things slowed us down and made us notice what we would have normally toddled right past. Kids in Parks has activities for every season, guides and videos about hiking with kids, and even a backyard hike guide that can be used at home, on a playground, or on a school campus.
Do you have favorite physical activity or Halloween-themed resources for kids? Share them in the comments section below.
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