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I have always loved travelling and so has my husband. It is the soothing therapy that refreshes our mind and our escape from daily mundane life. We wanted to travel with our son once he crossed 6 months.
We did manage to go to a few places before Corona struck this world. We feel travelling with him is a very important part of our life, as a family and we plan to continue with it after this Pandemic is gone for good.
When a child travels with their parents to different places from a young age, it helps with their development in many ways. Get to know more about it.
1. Developing Curiosity
A child is always curious about everything since the world is new to them. Travelling helps with exploring the world better and developing curiosity further. They will question anything and everything that they see.
Their young minds will register all the new things they see and their knowledge and vocabulary will develop drastically. This will help them in the future, as they will be aware of many things as compared to the children who haven’t travelled much.
2. Learning About Diversity
Maya Angelou, an American poet, and civil rights activist said, "It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength".
Travelling to a different state in India or outside India will make them realize the diversity in people. They will encounter people from different religions, cultures, and languages and this will open up their minds to accept differences in other people they meet anytime in their life.
We, as parents, must teach them that all people are equal, no matter their religion, language, caste, ethnicity, or color. This ideology can be embedded in their minds at an early age through travel and meeting new people from various walks of life.
3. Learning About Heritage and Culture
When we take kids to Historical places/Heritage sites, they will learn about the place, the people who lived or ruled there, the tradition or civilization of the place, and any historical event that occurred at the place. This will help them to remember the events and facts better than reading about them in their textbooks.
When we take them to a Palace or Museum, we can tell them the stories about those places like which King/Queen it belonged to, which Dynasty they were from, which famous battles they had fought, etc.
This will help them relate later when the child learns about it in books since they have had a firsthand look. Also learning about our country's rich heritage and history will help in inculcating patriotism in them at an early age.
4. Developing Creativity
When we travel with kids, they are out of their comfort zone and their usual environment. They will not be having their favorite toys or their favorite park there. So in order to keep themselves entertained in a new place, they have to come up with new ways.
Like Kim Raver says, "I think it's necessary to let kids get bored once in a while that's how they learn to be creative", we need to let them push their boundaries and create their own engaging options.
We should make sure they do something new and imaginative during travel so that their creativity is encouraged. This will develop their right brain.
5. Less Screen Time and More Real-time
When we travel, we push our eyes glued to the screens to explore nature and experiences. It will reduce screen time for kids.
They will be having interaction and connection with the real world, rather than the digital world. It is very important for our generation and our younger generation since we have become addicted to electronic gadgets.
Travelling to the mountains and beautiful villages with no network is a perfect escape from the bustling mechanic world.
6. Connecting with Nature
Shakespeare had beautifully put, "The Earth has music for those who listen". When we travel we realize the truth in it. Even small picnics to nearby farms, waterfalls, or forests make kids explore these places and experience them.
They will have a better understanding of Mother Nature. When the fresh air gushes into the lungs kids will feel lively and serene. They will know the importance of preserving nature and the essentiality to live in a balance of nature and technology in the upcoming years.
7. Visiting their Roots
Kids love to visit their Grandparents’ house every now and then. Apart from the pampering, they also relish a lot of native food/snacks and interesting stories at their grandparents’ place. This will help them to stay in touch with their roots.
This is a significant element in every child's early years. It makes them learn more about themselves, their family, their relationship with extended family, and their grandparents’ love.
In many families, when all the relatives meet once a year for a festival or a function, the child will interact and bond with their uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. Those funny stories, endless laughs, naughty expeditions, and cozy care will teach them the importance of family. It will also teach about giving and receiving affection and love.
8. Trying New Cuisines
When we travel to new places, we tend to try their local cuisine, kids too should try it. Don’t pack the usual home-cooked meal, instead let them try the local foods. This will develop their taste buds and they will not be picky eaters then.
Some places will have very unique indigenous fruits, vegetables, and spices which will not be available in other places. When a child tries those local specials, they will have new tasty experience and can explore the varied tastes that they may not have the chance in having in their locality.
9. Tolerance Level
Travelling makes kids come out of their comfort zone and learn the habit of tolerance, which is very important. These days, we see many kids being adamant to get what they want and not adjusting or compromising.
But travelling sometimes makes them compromise and adjust, as they won't have any choice. When you travel together with other families, they will also learn to share and mingle with other kids.
10. Expanding their Horizons
Exploring and experiencing new places at an early age will open up young minds. They will always know that there is a big world out there and not have narrow-mindedness. They can dream big and always try out new experiences and this will help in expanding their horizons.
They will overcome fear and anxiety and can achieve their dreams better when they are more aware of the world they are a part of.
To be able to live in a different place, among different people with varied lifestyles is always exciting. One who travels lives many lives and has many stories to tell.