Watton-at-Stone Primary and Nursery School

Rectory Lane, Watton-At-Stone, Hertfordshire, SG14 3SG

01920 830233

admin@wattonatstone.herts.sch.uk

Virtual tour of the school

 

After this video was made, we had some new climbing equipment installed in the outdoor area which is shared by both the Nursery and Reception children. 

Introductory climbing frames in nursery settings are important for children’s climbing confidence and help prepare them for the larger climbing challenges in school. This continual development is vital for children when settling into a new school environment.

Climbing from a young age provides many physical and mental benefits

Improved Dexterity

Through climbing, children begin to develop their fine motor skills including dexterity, grip and grasp. These skills can be transferred into the classroom when handwriting because children will find it much easier to hold a pen and pencil correctly.

Climbing Confidence

Young children may feel nervous when facing climbing equipment for the first time, but through trial and error and safe risk-taking, children will learn to face their fears and begin taking on new climbing challenges every single day.

Physical Strength

Climbing allows children to build their physical strength and gross motor skills leading to a healthier and active lifestyle. Embedding this into children from a young age will help fight childhood obesity and ensure children enjoy being active when entering school.

Problem-solving skills

When approaching new climbing challenges, young children will develop critical thinking skills when discovering different routes to climb and traverse. Where should I place my feet and hands? How will I get higher than I did yesterday? These are excellent skills for children while in nursery.

Safe Risk Taking

Climbing equipment allows children to manage and assess risk which is an important life skill to learn from a young age. Children will begin to understand when they are doing something that is too dangerous while discovering their limits when overcoming challenges.