Climbing allows children to develop their sense of balance but also their self-confidence! It is particularly recommended for those who have difficulty concentrating and channeling their energy. We discovered this activity with Lilah, 9 years old, Emma, 8 and a half years old and Maxime, 12 years old.
more and more trendy, climbing is a great success with children. The Ninja Warrior show on TF1 seems to have something to do with it! “It was this program with Jean Tezenas du Montcel and Clément Gravier that made me discover this sport”explains Emma, 9 years old who practices this activity in Indoor Climbing not far from the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Indoors, this sport for children is practiced either on walls called routes with classic equipment such as a harness, rope and helmet, or on walls called blocks which do not require equipment and where potential falls are cushioned by mats.
At what age should you enroll your child in rock climbing?
Generally, the clubs accept children from 4 years old. The youngest can then gently get used to this activity and discover the basics of safety necessary to climb in complete safety.
What are the benefits of rock climbing for children?
The practice of climbing has many virtues, both physical and psychological. First of all, it gently develops the muscles of the arms, thighs and shoulders of children. By contracting the buttocks and abs, they also strengthen their back muscles while exercising. This activity is essential to allow them to develop their balance, their flexibility and their agility. It also requires concentration, but also anticipation to know which route to take. Does your child have vertigo? Climbing should allow him to overcome it because it allows him to confront the fear of heights in complete safety. Recommended for children who are easily anxious because it allows them to clear their minds, this activity also allows hyperactive children to focus on an objective and to be attentive to their body and their sensations. All these assets allow children to develop their autonomy but also their confidence in themselves and their abilities ! Children who climb outdoors also learn about the environment and are more sensitive to respecting the planet and its wealth.
Where to go rock climbing with a child?
There are more and more climbing halls like Climbing District, Arkosis, Climbing Indoor, hapik, Block’out Where Climb up which offer walls and challenges suitable for everyone. The sockets have surprising shapes and the often very colorful walls have a playful side that is very popular with children!
Climbing for children: the opinion of the editorial staff
We tested two centers with Maxime, 12 years old and Lilah, 9 years old. At Climbing District located in the 17th arrondissement of the capital, Thomas explains that the center offers courses from 4 years old. The Game Board, which consists of pressing lighted buttons located more or less high up, is very popular with Lilah who, frightened at first by the activity, ends up having a field day.
Maxime discovers the climbing wall or block that he will attack with ease before discovering that certain holds require anticipation and strategy! He will find himself stuck at one point, but will find the solution thanks to Thomas who explains to us that this activity is particularly suitable for young autistic people. The center offers internships, private and group lessons for one hour per week. “Children grow together and push each other. They develop their knowledge of the body, their coordination, their mobility and learn to find the solution to the problems encountered.“, adds Thomas who admits to us that he was a child who did not accept his body well but that everything changed when he discovered climbing.
In the Arkose center located in the 12th arrondissement of the capital, it is Nicolas who introduces Lilah to the many rooms suitable for all ages. On that day, a group course dedicated to 4-6 year olds takes place. The opportunity to discover that even very young children adapt very easily to this activity! Nicolas explains to us that children can practice climbing here during group lessons, internships and also during individual lessons “with several children because emulation is important to progress and overcome apprehensions”. After warming up and reviewing safety notions, Lilah tackles the yellow course in the room dedicated to her age. A little reserved at first, she will often stop halfway through before discovering, thanks to Nicolas’s advice, that she has the resources to go higher. A game based on challenges proposed by Nicolas will be enough to lift all his inhibitions!