Walking to school alone-what age?

[Anonymous]

At what age can a child walk to/from school alone? 0.3 miles in a suburban neighborhood with sidewalks and stop signs at each corner.

What about a pair of siblings that are two years apart? What ages?

For this exercise, let’s assume the kid/kids are leaving from and arriving back to a house with a parent or babysitter.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

My 6 yo wants to. DCUM told me 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

Mine started in 3rd/5th grade, once the younger felt responsible enough. Half a mile.

[Anonymous]

For me personally I wouldnt let a child walk alone until middle school so 11. If 2 kids were together I would say maybe 8-10 if 2 years apart based on your question.
I realize some people will go younger and im not judging that, I just cant do it.

[Anonymous]

For that distance and neighborhood type I would say second grade but I’m probably an outlier. I was walking a mile with neighbor kids in 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

I was walking half a mile in first grade. This was in a small town where houses were somewhat far apart (each house had at least 1 acre) and were woodsy.
My friend lived even further down the road (.7 miles) and was also a walker, no bus service provided.

I wouldn't allow my own kid to do that (but there are a lot of decisions my mom made that I wouldn't make.) I would say 3-4th grade

[Anonymous]

age 8/9 - assuming age appropriate maturity.

[Anonymous]

We are a mile from the school and it is in our neighborhood. I let mine in 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

Are you in the walk zone? I'm assuming yes?

I think it depends on the traffic in the neighborhood. Are cars generally aware that there are small children walking? How visible is your child?

If you want to try it, I'd start by walking 5 feet behind your child and letting them navigate the intersections with you there, but not guiding. Then do the walk further behind them etc. Mainly to gauge that your child knows how to look for cars and knows how to cross streets safely, without you there.

I'd think age 8/3rd grade would be fine. 2nd grade it may depend on the kid. 1st grade I'd still have an adult walk them.

[Anonymous]

Not OP. We are only a few blocks away but have to cross one street that is 25mph but cars regularly go 40. Overall DC is mature but could easily get distracted and forget to stop and watch for traffic. In 3rd but not yet ready because of that particular intersection.

[Anonymous]

My 7yo does, but we’ve practiced and she’s shown proficiency in crossing the streets (stopping, looking, listening, looking again).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. My kids are not old enough yet but I was wondering when people thought they would be. I like the idea of trial runs while walking behind them. The only traffic in the neighborhood is residents or school traffic, so drivers are aware of kids. There’s a crossing guard at the busiest intersection right next to the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6 yo wants to. DCUM told me 3rd grade.

Same here. The school won't let him walk solo. Even when he walks with two other 7 year olds each day.

[Anonymous]

No way, 5th with friends.

[Anonymous]

Around 8.