IT only seems a short time ago that most children walked to school. And the sight of mums and dads holding the hands of animated youngsters skipping along with their school bags was common.

Now, stand outside any school in the morning and watch the cars roll up, with just a sprinkling of pupils walking to the gates.

This week is National Walk to School Week and though it may sound a contrived calendar event it includes a sensible message.

Our children have become less active and more sofa-bound as TV and computers claim their time and concentration more and more.

Parents' own time is now more taken up with busy work schedules, with less opportunity all round for family activity.

Walking to school actually provides adults and children with good exercise, fresh air and the chance to be together.

Parents can teach children road safety as they go, and it is an excellent way to wake up and start the day properly.

Less cars also mean less congestion around schools -- cutting down on vehicle danger, and probably meaning less frayed adult tempers.

This simple walk to school has many basic benefits, although we, as parents, can always find good reasons for using a car. Working parents struggle to find the time for walking, but this really only needs a slightly earlier start for most people.

This week might well provide a good opportunity for parents to try out walking to and from school, to see how it works out.

With any luck, they might even find they enjoy the experience, and want to repeat it, with the obvious benefits for all the family.