TR Mom has no sense of cardinal direction. TR Dad knows instantly where he is located and how to get from point A to point B. TR Mom’s mapping skills are minimal at best. But TR Dad can route a shortcut, when stuck in traffic, within minutes of unfolding a map.
It is never too early (or to late) to learn where you are in the world or how to get where you need to be. We want Bluey and Plum to have the confidence to go out-and-about on 
their own. But if you don’t have a sense of direction, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless.
So we encourage our children to recognize their surroundings. We typically hear the whine of “Are we there yet” as we make our way to a familiar destination. Our response is “Look out your window. Let’s spot landmarks and figure out where we are.” Our kiddos are usually able to orient themselves with our prodding, and that helps them realize how much farther we have to go.
If we’re headed off in the car to somewhere like the supermarket, we’ll ask our children to direct us. They might make some interesting choices, but we usually end up where we need to be. If we head out for a bike ride, we’ll ask the kiddos to lead the way.
TR Mom and TR Dad allow Plum more freedom to explore our neighborhood on her own, as we are confident that she knows how to find her way. Plum is incredibly proud of this independence and greatly enjoys her meanderings.
From geocaching, to orienteering, to scavenger hunts, or to simply walking around your neighborhood – it all supports your child gaining independence and enhances their awareness of the world. And these are critical skills to take into adulthood.
[…] sources of food growing in your environment is yet another way to deepen your connection to your neighborhood and the world at large. It is also a basic survival skill. But be certain to drive home the […]
[…] keep the pack together. We ride to the store, to various restaurants, and just cruise around the neighborhood. Now that Bluey has his own bike, he holds his own as the family sets forth on a bicycle […]
[…] and biking the streets of your own neighborhood allows for many opportunities to meet people, to notice buildings, trees and businesses you might […]