Tree Climbing And Forest School
Today, I’m going to be looking at tree climbing and Forest School.
This episode was inspired a 4 year old little girl who out did all the boys last week during our summer camp and I wanted to dig into it deeper and explore how crucial such a simple play choice can be for your child.
Childhood And Tree Climbing
Quite simply here we’re talking about your child ascending meaning going up and descending meaning coming down a tree.
At times there may be moments where swings are near by or make shift zip lines or indeed other items.
But fundamentally the real value is when your child selects a tree that they wish to accomplish.
The Ionic Childhood Pursuit
The iconic childhood pursuit of climbing a tree is one of the simplest forms of pleasure for many children and a staple play choice of any Forest School sessions.
There really is no feat bigger than climbing a tree, I would argue for any, human being. Tree climbing fits so beautifully into the Forest School ethos with all its benefits, working on the development of the whole or holistic child. Key life skills are delivered through the persistent repetition of this play choice. Ultimately, no one single area is being worked here but all areas!
Climbing and being off the ground is one of the more risky activities on offer at a Forest School, it is also one of the most memorable and rewarding for your child to take part in.
The Risk Of Tree Climbing
The benefits as you will see, far outweigh the risks and with robust control measures in place the chance of serious harm occurring at Forest School are minimised.
Furthermore, at Eco Ed Forest School at least your child will appreciate the trust being put in them in which to manage their own risk taking while tree climbing.
You know what climbing trees and falling out of them is all part of growing up and having small injuries helps children learn about risks. I myself went through this and have the memories to prove it.
I believe that it’s a hugely amazing thing to equip children and young people with the skills to make informed decisions about the risks that they take. After all risky play holds so much developmental benefit and value.
The Benefits Of Tree Climbing
So what are the benefits to your child by climbing a tree? I’ve broken them down into 6 key areas and then I’ve included my Forest School rules for tree climbing for good measure.
Problem Solving and Creative Thinking
Climbing trees inspires kids to think ahead while navigating from branch to branch. Determining the best path to take up, and then subsequently the safest way to climb down, develops both critical thinking and problem solving skills. Spatial awareness also comes into play as children experiment with fitting and moving their bodies into tight spaces.
Social Skills
Children enjoy climbing trees with their friends, and it takes the ability to take turns and give verbal instructions to the ‘climber’ so they can navigate the trickiest of tree challenges. Cooperation is encouraged as children help one another achieve special moments.
Physical Development
The physical challenge of climbing a tree is no joke. It’s hard work being able to manage arms and legs while reaching for hand and foot holds. Tree climbing helps kids develop muscle strength, hand and eye coordination, and the ability to assess their own physical abilities.
Self-Esteem and Confidence
There’s always a huge sense of accomplishment and pride that goes along with tree climbing. The ability to conquer a difficult tree provides children with a great confidence boost. Kids get a different perspective on the world, as so much of their young lives have been spent looking up. Being up high and looking down at the world below can be very empowering.
Concentration and Patience
Kids can’t rush when climbing trees. It takes time and extended periods of concentration to manoeuvre through a tree’s limbs, not to mention a strong focus on the task at hand.
Reducing Stress
Research has shown that spending time amongst the trees provides many calming benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, supporting cognitive function and increasing resilience. Coming close to a magnificent work of nature that may have stood for hundreds if not thousands of years is incredibly empowering and could be considered spiritually enlightening.
The ‘Rules Of Tree Climbing’
Alright now we’ve checked out the benefits lets take a look at the Forest School rules that will make you feel a little happier in helping your child in this amazing play choice.
- Only help when needed- This rule is for parents.
The last thing you want to do is lift or significantly help your child into a tree. They should be able to get up there themselves. If they can’t there is significant benefit in the trials and tribulations of mastering a tree in due course.
Indeed, if a child is unable to get into a tree safely there is no way they will be able to get out safely as that takes a whole different perception. You are more than encouraged to provide verbal help by speaking about which branches or limbs to step on or move respectively.
Or you may provide ‘falling support’ in which you can stand behind your child to catch them if they should make a wrong move. Remember only help when actually needed. The benefit is in the effort and at times the struggle.
Now for the children’s rules
2. Keep three points of contact at all times.
Three parts of a child’s body should always touch a tree. 2 legs and an arm or 2 arms and a leg or indeed two arms and a belly. It doesn’t matter what three but three is the magic number. The reason is that this is the safest way for a child to remain in control of their safety and the fourth limb should ideally be moving at all times unless they have stopped for a break. Or to navigate their next move.
3. Choose only branches that are thick
All trees differ but the ones with thick branches are able to support the weight of a small human, usually. They also don’t tend to wobble or sway as easily and so will not alter the child balance or create unease or uncertainty in your child’s mind. Uncertainty takes their concentration from the task in hand and this is unhelpful for a child’s progress up or down a tree.
4. Test, Test, Test.
A slight follow on from the last, encourage your child to test every branch first before placing their full weight on it. Some branches may look perfectly thick but may be what is known as deadwood. When weight is applied to deadwood, which is a natural process every tree does to shed it’s old limbs, the branch will snap quite easily which is not a good outcome for a climbing child.
I would encourage you as a parent to include this play type in your next outing.
There is the potential for injury like in everything but if the risks are managed in the way I have mentioned in the ‘rules’ then I guarantee you, that your child will find great success and gain huge amounts of value in their lives.
Still not sure? You can always bring them a long to a Forest School sessions where our expertise will give you piece of mind
You’re Just One Session Away!
