As a teacher with 21 years of experience, I can honestly say that travel is the best education any child could ever receive. Many people feel that children are better off sitting in a classroom, but I believe getting out to see and experience the world is the best way to learn.
Many parents are hesitant to take their kids out traveling on bicycles, but we have discovered it is a fabulous experience for both parents and children. If any travel is good, travel on bikes is even better.
* Persistance. In today’s society, it is all too easy to give up too early. Kids aren’t taught to stick with something even when it is hard. On a bike tour, you will go through tough times and kids will learn – when they reach the top of a steep pass or reach Grandma’s house after battling a head wind all day – the value of sticking with it and not giving up.
* Some days are like that. We all have those days – those days when everything that can go wrong, does. Kids learn to push through those days and live for the good ones – which is most of them. That’s how life is: we can’t live life expecting every day to be rosy.
* There are no limits to what they can do. Self confidence is a wonderful thing that helps us accomplish so much in life. If a child can pedal across the state, country, or world, is there anything he can’t do?
* People are people, no matter what color they are. As children travel the world, they spend time playing with kids from other cultures who speak other languages. They learn the language of humanity.
* Built in play things rather than idiot boxes. Most kids today spend way too much time with electronic entertainment. Who needs all that when Mother Nature’s toys surround you?
* Creativity. On the bike, you can’t carry a lot of toys. Children learn to be creative with what they find – rocks, sticks, pine cones, berries…
* Learn in context. We may learn a whole lot of random facts and figures, but they all come in context so they mean something!
* Active. One of the major problems with children today is the sedentary lifestyle they are leading. Getting them out on the bike teaches them to be active and healthy for life.
Learn more about traveling with children. Stop by Nancy Sathre-Vogel’s site where you can find out all about bicycling with children and how you can take your children out too.

