The benefits of climbing for kids
Climbing is very beneficial to children’s health and learning development. It improves self-confidence, concentration span, and balance. Discover all the benefits!
More confidence
Climbing helps children become more confident. At first glance, they might not think they’ll be able to follow the “routes” on the walls. With a little practice and encouragement, they’ll make progress and eventually reach the top. Learning to believe in one’s own abilities is a lifelong process, so might as well get started young!
Climbing is also an exercise in trusting others, which can be difficult at any age. With adults to reassure them, kids slowly get used to trusting each other. Plus, they’ll learn to trust safety gear such as climbing harnesses and ropes for a confidence boost.
Finally, rock climbing outdoors makes kids more comfortable with nature. They get used to being in close proximity with insects and learn to be respectful of their surroundings.
Developing the five senses
When climbing in nature, children use all of their senses: Touching rocks, smelling trees and flowers around them, hearing birds and animals nearby. They’ll be in close proximity with insects and learn to be less afraid of them. Outdoor climbing is an amazing opportunity to observe fauna and floral and develop a deeper respect for natural environments.
Learning to persevere
Determination is what allows us to push through any fear of heights, lack of confidence or shyness. An important thing to learn! To reach the top or their next objective, young climbers have to challenge themselves. It’s the perfect environment to learn effort levels and perseverance. Playful activities such as treasure hunts also push kids to surpass themselves. Even when tiredness settles in, they’ll climb one more time to get a clue at the top of the wall. They learn to set goals and reach them.
Climbing with a partner also teaches kids to be patient. Even if they feel like climbing non-stop, they have to take turns and spot their partner. It’s only fair!
Improving their balance
Pushing on one foot, pulling with one arm…it’s not easy! Climbing requires balance and coordination between the upper and lower body. The brain is constantly calculating and transmitting messages to different muscles. Kids will learn to keep shifting their posture and weight to manage imbalances.
Working on concentration
Climbing teaches kids how to focus. In fact, it’s an excellent way to work on their attention span. Climbers have to slow down and really think about what they are doing in order to progress and reach their goal. When spotting a partner, they have to handle the ropes carefully and be alert to what is going on. It’s a physical workout, but also a mental workout!
