Over at The National Trust you can find 50 things to do before you are 11 3/4s – here is Number 46 = Outdoors Rock Climbing. There are many benefits to getting children outdoors rock climbing – and these days you can get them lessons from as young as three years old, with harnesses to ensure safety. Here are some of the reasons you should consider getting your children outdoors rock climbing. My sons first got their opportunities to rock through parties, school open days and National Play Days, etc – here my 6 year old son first got all the way to the top.
Outdoor Rock Climbing Number 46 – National Trust
When I was younger I was always climbing – most likely places I wasn’t meant to be. I broke my arm after climbing an apple tree – and did I go back up again? You bet I did! That’s what childhood was about wasn’t it. Going outdoors, getting dirty, and having fun. The National Trust aims to help children get back outdoors and that is why they have compiled a list of 50 things that they feel children should have experienced by the time they are 11 3/4s. Outdoors rock climbing has many advantages, and you can start on special walls (indoors or outdoors) and then move onto real rocks.
Of course it helps hand eye coordination and concentration, it is good exercise for children (and adults) plus it can help tone their bodies (making them more flexible and building their muscles), as well as burning calories. After talking to the Occupational Therapist it was decided that it would be fantastic for helping our youngest to help to develop his hands as he is hyper-mobile (unfortunately our local indoor rock climbing centre does not allow children under the age of 5 to have lessons though).
I like the way that it helps give them confidence in being high up – so they will not have a fear of heights (not likely with my thrill seeker but always and added advantage). It helps them develop trust in the equipment and the adults around them – especially if they get stuck. It is good for problem solving – because sometime they need to think about what to do – such as moving over a bit, or whether to move their hands or their feet. It helps them listen and respond too if they cannot work out the solution and need guidance.
It is fun to do and the feel good factor can help boost their mood which in turn may help them sleep better and enhance their immune system. It can be competitive – with children racing against each other to get to the top. Or there are walls where you put out lights, and so they can see how can do this the fastest, or get the most out in a certain time period. My son attended a party like this and had a great time.
Other 50 things posts of interest
Internally
Climb a tree/Make a daisy chain
Build a den (cheat)
Externally
Herecomethegirls Mud Mud Glorius Mud
Do visit The Boy and Me who first introduced me to 50things and see how she is getting on – and do join in and add your post/picture to TheBoyandMe linky and there is also one at ThisDayILove who is compiling a video too. You can find further inspiration for getting children outdoors in all-weathers over at the #Countrykids @ Coombe Mill linky
This is not a sponsored post.