Whether the goal is installing a whole new playground setup or to update an existing one, including climbing equipment can offer young users an array of benefits. Playtime in and of itself can play a powerful role in the early development of children by establishing and refining a number of skills for the mind and body.
According to a comprehensive study by PlayCore, reports cite that play that includes climbing at a young age helps motor skills, directional awareness, spatial balance and enhances agility, coordination and memory.
Let’s explore a bit more about the benefits of climbing and how adding components to playgrounds that encourage kids to move ‘up’ and down during playtime contributes to children's overall wellbeing.
Students Who Climb May Boost Academic Performance
"Monkeying around" on climbing and other playground equipment can actually lead to greater focus and performance in the classroom. Reports from educational facilities have suggested that just one hour a day of physical activity has led to noticeable improvements in both physical fitness and academic scores school-wide.
Furthermore, schools who implemented extra time for students to get active reported fewer disciplinary incidents on campus.
Climbing Improves Social and Team-Building Skills
Playground climbing equipment offers a way for children to naturally migrate into the same spaces and engage one another. This often requires cooperation between young people of various skill levels and ages.
Because of these factors, climbing structures can foster the advancement of essential social skills like patience, listening, teaching and communicating. The act of children climbing together encourages them to develop and refine many of the same cooperative and social skills they will use throughout their school years and later in life.
Climbing Skills Increase Physical Fitness, Balance and Coordination
Climbing requires kids to use multiple parts of their body in coordination while maintaining balance to pull themselves up. This helps children become more conscious of how to maximize body coordination as they move over, under and through various climbing structures. Staying active in this way also increases their body strength.
Climbers Have Better Motor Skills and Spacial Awareness
Climbing can play an important role in developing motor skills and also promotes the stimulation of kids' imaginations. According to a study by PlayCore, there is strong evidence that young climbers are more easily able to hone their direction and spatial awareness.
Using the feet and hands to tackle varying levels, inclines and distances between platforms gives children a greater ability to sense their own movement in spaces and the importance of their body position to refine motor skills. Consider investing in playground equipment with:
-
Ladders
-
Parallel Bars
-
Overhead Bars
-
Climbing Rings
-
Net Climbers
Climbing Can Increase Confidence and Self-Satisfaction
Climbing structures on playgrounds also help foster positive emotional maturity by boosting their level of confidence and self-satisfaction. These exercises can provide opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, and their success can be a healthy esteem booster!
Get Kids Moving with Playground Equipment from Churchich Recreation
Here at Churchich Recreation, we proudly serve clients in North and South Carolina in need of playground equipment, safety ground covers and much more. Contact us online, or call one of our representatives at 843-757-3156 for more information.