Features

EYFS activities - Birth to three… climbing

Why climbing is a vital activity, and how settings can provide opportunities for it, both inside and outdoors. By Dr Lala Manners

There is something about climbing that is irresistible to young children. The urge to go higher, push boundaries, feel strong and brave, experience freedom, achievement and elation are all hugely important experiences.

Like rolling and crawling, climbing is one of the whole-body, ‘big body’ movements that is particularly useful for supporting overall muscular strength and endurance, balance, co-ordination and agility. Unlike the first two, however, climbing is a skill that many children enjoy well into early adulthood and beyond.

The tricky part of climbing is not going up – it’s getting down again. How often have we seen a confident ascent, followed by a protracted and tearful descent!

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