Xiao Ruihan, a child from the middle class of kindergarten, completed her first urban hike yesterday in just two hours — walking from Changshu Road Station on Line 1 of the subway to Yu Garden, covering a distance of about 5 kilometers. This was part of a “Measuring Shanghai” event organized by a mom who’s an avid hiker. A total of 50 children, ranging from kindergarten middle class to fifth grade, participated. She hopes that through outdoor activities like this, children who are usually confined in “greenhouses” can build resilience and social skills.
At 9:40 a.m. yesterday, at the exit of Changshu Road Station on Line 1 of the subway, 50 children were waiting to set off, backpacks on their backs. They were divided into five groups, including a group of ten preschoolers, all from kindergarten middle and senior classes. Chen Ying, the organizer and mother of a 6-year-old child, said that today’s kids are usually driven everywhere and mostly kept within the confines of schools. By letting them “measure Shanghai” with their feet, they can not only build resilience but also walk through the city’s streets and truly get to know the city.
At 9:50 a.m., after the route had been clearly explained, the preschool group set off first. Kids who were strangers at first soon held hands and became friends. Zhuangzhuang, a child from the senior class of kindergarten, has a mother who said that her child rarely has playmates. “Classmates at school go to different tutorial classes right after dismissal, and many kids in the neighborhood are also kept indoors for discipline and study.” Most parents in the group agree that playing outside is just as important as studying.
Just after crossing one intersection, some children called out that it was hot and took off their jackets. After an hour, some said their legs were sore, but encouraged by others, they kept up with the group. When they were just one stop away from Yu Garden, a few boys spotted four fire hydrants by the road and rushed to use them as chairs. After a short rest, the group set off again. The team finally arrived at their destination, Yu Garden, at 11:50 a.m.