Does Travel Affect Kids?
We are a military family, so travel automatically comes with the territory due to the different PCS every few years. My husband was in the Army, stationed in Alaska, and I was in California. We lived that way for five years before we moved to Ft. Bragg, where he retired. My babies were on a plane with me since months old, heading to Alaska to visit their Dad until my Maternity leave was over. I was working then, so my oldest, at ten months, went with my sister to the South Pacific to visit with the grannies and the rest of the family and was back before her first birthday. It suits her because she’s grown up to be an independent, family-oriented, life-of-the-party type of person. My little one, who is autistic, loves the plane. Something about being on the plane is soothing to her, especially staring out the window. One of her favorite things is getting on the plane and sitting by the window. When she was a toddler, she always made a sound as the plane took off and when it landed. Both love being on the plane and trying out different hotels. (Photo is of the girls at 2ish and 1yo with Grandma)
When I was reading up on how travel affects children, I have come across 5 things that traveling helps kids in:
1. Cognitive Development: Travel exposes them to new cultures, languages, and environments, which helps them learn and understand the world around them. This past year, I took my kids to see my parents in Tonga since the country was closed down due to COVID. I have taken my girls to Tonga, but they are older and more aware of what is going on now. I decided to put my daughter in the Government Primary School, which only speaks the language at school, knowing my daughter does not speak very well. The principal was concerned for her and suggested not putting her at an English-speaking school because she won’t understand much. Still, I reassured him it is not just the language that I want her to learn but the way the kids live daily (get to school, play, what they eat and conversation etc.). When I drove back to get my kid to do a half day of school and get a feel for it, she mentioned she was excited but, at the same time, nervous of what to expect. Note, my kid has gone to private school (was not a fan), and public school (loved it), and now she was about to start a foreign Elementary school that speaks the local language. When she returned, there was already a change in perspective from when she left. She was more appreciative of the things she had and of what I did for her to attend school. I knew putting her in that school was the best decision.
2. Social skills: Traveling with others can help children improve their communication and interpersonal skills. As I mentioned, my child went into school not knowing how to read Tongan. When we flew back, she could read in Tongan, which was what I hoped because kids sometimes learn things better from others than from their parents :0). She built lifelong relationships with those kids at the school and has asked for more trips soon. She still keeps in touch with some of them. (see photo in School uniform)
3. Independence: Traveling independently or with limited adult supervision can help kids develop independence, self-reliance, and responsibility.
4. Memory creation: Travel experiences often create long-lasting memories, which can shape a child’s identity and sense of self. As a kid, I remember how excited I was to visit with cousins (in Hawaii, New Zealand and the US Mainland) and hang out when we traveled (from Tonga) for the holidays. To this day, I am grateful for those memories because they have always kept me grounded and reminded me of where I come from. It is my hope for my girls as we continue to visit family or meet up with them for family functions and so forth.
5. Broadening perspectives: Traveling can help kids understand and appreciate different perspectives and ways of life, which can broaden their worldview.
Below are different sites that we use to help book travel because they have great deals with flights, hotels and car rentals. They are:
As mentioned, I use the first three bullets for hotels, flights, and rental cars, and of course, the last on the list is where I can read reviews of hotels and restaurants around the area we're traveling to.
I hope this was helpful and encouraged you to take your kids traveling when they are young. They are only kids for so long...
Till Next Time...
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