There’s good news for mum’s who’s little ones are forever climbing onto the coffee table, climbing out of the crib and over the back of the lounge.. researchers have uncovered a multitude of benefits to climbing!
Little ones solve problems by climbing at an early age
Climbing teaches our little ones to adapt to new or unknown environments while encouraging goal-setting, determination, and planning. It shows toddlers the value of decision making, while empowering logic, memory, problem-solving skills, and concentration.
Climbing develops spatial awareness and working memory
Using both hands and feet and encountering varying inclines, levels and distances between foam objects has been shown to enhance children’s proprioception- the ability to sense their body’s position and movement in space
In a 2015 study, psychologists from the University of North Florida found that “proprioceptively dynamic activities like climbing” can rapidly and dramatically improve children’s working memory. This is crucial not just for children’s processing of information, but for developing behavioral and gross motor skills.
The study showed that after just two hours climbing, the young participants’ capacity for working memory had increased by 50 percent.
Climbing enhances motor development, coordination, balance and agility
Climbing increases muscle tone and strength in both fine and gross motor movements. The act of climbing sharpens visual perception and motor skills as they decide where to place a foot or hand to move up or down.
Climbing helps children to develop balance by engaging their core and large muscle groups as they climb and slide on foam climbers.
