Children in a bubblegum contest. [Getty Images]
Once upon a time, it was the norm for parents to take their children upcountry at every opportunity, especially during school holidays. But now, ushago (countryside) has taken a very different meaning for kids.
They are more than elated to be sent to their grandparents in Karen or Runda, where life is comfortable - away from their parents.
Gone are the days it would take almost a whole day to get to grandma’s house and once there, get hit by the hard reality of cold showers, no electricity and of course, no TV.
To add to that shock, no one spoke English or Swahili; yet that is where you had to spend three weeks of your precious holiday.
Looking back, this scenario had a positive impact on children in many ways. Children would ask all sorts of questions about mundane things from what they see every day. Now you can imagine what a new environment would do to their curiosity.
If you have a child with ADHD or anxiety, exposing their lungs to fresh air and the scent of flowers and plants has been proven to relieve stress and improve concentration, according to a study published in Frontiers of Psychology in January 2020.
They also get to understand their roots. People who live in the neighbourhood will want to visit, and this offers a great chance for them to know who their relatives are.
They appreciate the feeling of belonging and being part of a larger family. And for purposes of wanting to fit in, they conform to that particular setting by learning the spoken language. Three, four visits later they are fluent in their mother tongue.
For younger children, it encourages sensory development by offering a wide variety of contrasting tactile experiences. They get to dirty their hands, eat fresh fruit, interact with animals and this way, they learn about farm life and where their food comes from.
Then slowly but surely, their meal interests start to shift to more fruits and vegetables. This is because there is no temptation of junk food. Take-outs from fast-food eateries do not apply in the village - so no greasy chips and chicken. If your child has been struggling with the trappings of living in a big city like Nairobi, they will be forced into a healthy lifestyle.
