#头条创作挑战赛#
A common phenomenon is striking: during the festive season, many families choose to travel with their children, even if they are still young.
After returning home, in the daily greetings, "holiday parent-child travel" has become a must-talk topic, and sharing has become a norm - "we visited a certain resort this time".
In the depths of these parents' concepts, parent-child travel is regarded as a "race on the starting line", and it seems that starting early and traveling widely seems to add a touch of opportunity to the child's life.
They firmly believe that the breadth of travel is directly related to the depth of knowledge, and that the sooner the better, and the more the better.
I used to be a big fan of this idea.
In order to avoid being left behind on the road of parenting, I couldn't wait to start our journey when Dabao was just one year old.
Today, however, when I look back on those past trips, there is a strong urge to share one thought: family travel can be beneficial, but before you do that, it's important to consider the age appropriateness of your child.
Over time, I have come to realize that while travel is beautiful, not all ages can enjoy it as much as possible.
When a child travels at this age, it is easier to "adapt to the soil"
Some time ago, a friend shared with me her travel experience, and one of her biggest regrets was traveling with her young son.
They had a tight schedule, with only one day in the day, and the six-hour round trip forced them to leave at 4 a.m.
The four-year-old daughter was woken up from a dream, crying all the way for more than an hour, and soon after arriving at the scenic spot, she complained of abdominal pain.
Due to the unsuccessful search for the pharmacy, in order to comfort the child, the friend had to hold on to the whole process.
Thankfully, the restaurateur generously provided painkillers at lunchtime, and the child's condition improved slightly.
However, this series of episodes severely ruined the atmosphere of the trip, and they hurried back after a cursory tour.
Undoubtedly, this trip was not a pleasure for them, but a torture.
Actor Anita Yuen's dialogue with host Xie Nan in the show "My Little Tail" also reflects a similar understanding.
Faced with the question of "whether it is worth traveling with children who have not yet been able to leave memories", Anita Yuen resolutely said: "I have tried, but all I have left behind are unpleasant memories. Children don't express likes and dislikes, they only cry when they're tired......"
Obviously, young children are not suitable for long-distance travel, and not only adults are tired, but children are also uncomfortable.
This is not only because of the long journey and the disruption of the daily routine, but more importantly, the "unsuitability" brought by the new environment makes children feel insecure, emotionally nervous, and even lose interest in exploring the surrounding beauty.
Therefore, if the trip is not age-appropriate, it is likely to become a futile endeavor;
A good plan that is meant to promote your child's growth can also backfire.
As the old saying goes, "Do the right thing at the right age." ”
For children under the age of five, parents should give high-quality companionship more than frequent travel.
We need to understand that what a child really cares about is not how far away his parents take him, but the focus and love in the process of companionship.
Seeing what you haven't seen doesn't mean "gaining knowledge"
A netizen shared his travel experience: during last year's annual vacation, he took his son to Xi'an with great expectations, planning to visit the Terracotta Warriors, hoping to increase his children's knowledge through professional explanations. Before setting off, he made detailed preparations and arranged a fulfilling schedule for this week-long trip.
However, the journey did not go as planned. Only on the third day, they returned early. The reason for this is that the son has no interest in the activities carefully planned by his father and is in a hurry to leave soon after entering the attraction. In just two days, the child's mind was more focused on the playground, repeatedly expressing tiredness and dissatisfaction. Faced with this scene, my father had no choice but to adjust his plan and cancel the rest of the trip.
Many parents uphold the concept of "traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books", and are keen to take their children to travel to see the world when they are young, and this netizen is obviously no exception.
But the problem is that parents often choose destinations based on their own interests, ignoring their children's feelings and needs.
Forcing children to accept "must-see sights" in the eyes of adults, even if it is traveling around the world, is only allowing children to passively fulfill their parents' wishes.
It's hard to arouse children's affection for such trips, and it's even harder to expect them to gain a deep understanding of the world.
As another netizen said: "I often take my children to travel in order to broaden my horizons, but why do I find that my children still look restrained, as if they have never seen the world?"
The point is that "seeing new things" is not the same as "gaining knowledge".
The real improvement of knowledge requires the combination of children's active exploration and inner perception, rather than simple body movement and scene transformation.
In fact, when many parents travel with their children, they often go on a superficial tour and return home with stacks of photos.
However, this kind of superficial way of traveling leaves children with only the superficial impression of physical fatigue and drifting with the tide, how can we talk about the results of profound observation and thinking?
For children, seemingly mundane life such as playing in the sand, watching small animals, and experiencing amusement parks can actually stimulate their curiosity and become a source of happiness.
It is precisely because of the children's own interests that they will be motivated to pay full attention and consciously to observe and explore every detail.
In the same way, when children embark on a journey with a passion for exploration, they will be able to discover those hidden secrets in their eyes, and then open up a broader horizon and space for learning.
The trip is for the parents, and the children are just incidental
In the discussion of Zhihu, a striking topic emerged:
What's the point behind traveling with children under the age of five?
Several parents had particularly insightful insights:
One parent shared that her three-year-old child spent seven days with them in Sanya, during which the child happily dug in the sand 19 times.
It makes people wonder, what is the difference between the grains of sand in the distance and the ones next to home?
It may be the same for children, but for parents, it's a very different experience.
This journey is not so much an exploration for the child as an extension of the parent's self-enjoyment.
A more blunt voice came from two other parents:
"It's not about whether my kids are having fun or not, it's important that my journey is unhindered. ”
So they say. Traveling is not only a need for self-relaxation, but also a consideration for the safety of children, bringing children with them not only satisfies their desire to explore the world, but also ensures their safety.
In this discussion of the meaning of travel, a concept gradually becomes clear:
Travel, in essence, is the deepest yearning of adults - "the world is vast, I want to explore".
The inclusion of children in the journey is motivated by the expectation that children will be able to absorb the wonders of the world and grow up subtly by witnessing this colorful world.
As the writer Xu Chenghua said: "Regardless of whether you are rich or poor, going out of the house is a rich and necessary spiritual nourishment for children." ”
Admittedly, such a trip is the fulfillment of an adult's heart's desire, but look at it from another perspective:
It may ignore the child's age and psychological needs.
Young children, compared with traveling far away, are more eager for the wholehearted companionship of their parents.
If we choose to travel with our children, we should let them go beyond mere role following, so that they can truly participate and enjoy the journey.
Travel is meaningful, but at its core:
Make sure it's not just an exploratory experience for adults, but also a valuable experience for children to grow with their parents in an age-appropriate environment and needs.
Every outing together should be an opportunity to deepen the bond between parents and children, so that children can see the world in love and companionship.
The right way to open when traveling with children
Every child has a natural love of exploration and play.
Parents are rightly leading them on their journeys to deepen their bonds and broaden their children's horizons of the world.
The question is: how do you plan a trip to ensure that both adults and children get something out of it?
The ideal journey is one in which the parents are completely relaxed and the children are rewarded by the close companionship of their parents.
Here are three key takeaways to help you get started with the right family travel patterns:
1. Journey planning that integrates the child's perspective is crucial.
Education experts emphasize that travel should be appropriate for the child's age group, because the child's physical condition and daily routine are directly related to the smooth progress of the trip. For example, children aged 3 to 5 years old can hardly afford long journeys, even though they are able to adapt to long journeys.
Incorporate your child's voice when creating your itinerary.
Even if parents have travel tips in hand, give their children a say in their choices about destinations, sightseeing highlights and food experiences. Encouraging them to participate in the process of map exploration and information gathering will not only increase children's initiative, but also give them a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead.
Share interests and create memories together.
Successful family travel is rooted in the shared interests of parents and children. When both parties are enthusiastic about the journey, the journey is naturally more harmonious and enjoyable. Making planning a shared adventure not only deepens the bond between parents and children, but also makes every trip an unforgettable coming-of-age experience.
2. Integrate into the journey, starting with packing.
Let your child's travel expectations sprout before departure. By participating in pre-departure preparation, they learn to plan their needs according to different destinations.
A trip to the seaside, fully equipped. The call of the sun and sand means sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and the laugh-inspiring swimwear and tubing are all in your bag.
Explore the mountains, dress up professionally. During the hiking trip, children are reminded to choose appropriate clothing and shoes, which are both comfortable and safe, and fully prepare for the climbing journey.
Snacks on the road, happy companion. Choose light foods to fuel up when you're hungry on the way. At the same time, carry a few favorite toys to make the waiting time in the car fun.
Self-packed, responsible journey. Encourage your child to organize their belongings and put them in their own backpack. This small responsibility cultivates the wisdom of preparation, the ability to plan for the future and the germ of a sense of responsibility.
Such a process is not only a packing of luggage, but also a vivid practical lesson in the growth of children.
3. Integrate into the pace of children and explore together.
In the picture of parent-child travel, it is common for adults to lead children forward. However, don't forget, children have their own pace of exploration.
Stop and observe, and share the joy of innocence.
When children are fascinated by a certain scenery or are curious about plants and trees, parents should pause their hurried trips and be side by side with their children, giving them plenty of time to feel and explore. It's a respect for childlike curiosity and an indispensable lesson in travel.
A bridge of communication, a spark of ideas.
Use these moments to engage with your child, listen to their ideas, and discuss the stories or principles behind them. This kind of interaction not only deepens the emotional bond, but also allows the spark of thinking to bloom brightly between parents and children, and the journey of enlightenment begins.
Emotional resonance, the cornerstone of trust.
In this kind of time together, the bond between parents and children is deepened, and the mutual understanding and trust between parents and children are strengthened. Every touch of the heart is a precious opportunity to build intimacy.
Immersion, the beauty of travel.
When children devote themselves to every moment of travel, the pure happiness and satisfaction is the most wonderful gift of travel. Such an immersive experience makes the meaning of travel go beyond simple sightseeing and become a valuable asset on the road to growth.
Create memories together, the true meaning of travel.
Remember, traveling with children is a shared experience and memory for both parties. It aims to create a suitable and unforgettable journey for children, so that these shining moments can become the warmest and happiest chapters in the family history.
Travel, therefore, takes on a deeper meaning – it connects the past with the future, weaving a story of love and growth.