In early childhood, physical skills like climbing are essential for development. For children ages 4 to 11, climbing builds not only strength and coordination but also spatial awareness, problem-solving abilities, and confidence. School wall bars offer a structured and safe way for kids to engage in climbing, helping them learn how to move their bodies in a controlled environment.
In this blog, we'll explore why wall bars are such a valuable tool in your primary school halls and offer tips on using them to safely support climbing skills at different developmental stages. Whether for building physical resilience or fostering independence, learning to climb safely on school wall bars can be an enriching experience for young children that we believe all young children should get the chance to experience.
Our Main "Why"!
Wall bars are a fantastic tool for helping children develop confidence through climbing and movement. As they face physical challenges and work to navigate the bars, they gradually build strength, coordination, and resilience. Each climb provides a new opportunity for them to progress at their own pace, celebrate small successes, and gain trust in their abilities.
This experience of overcoming challenges in a safe environment fosters a sense of accomplishment and empowers them to tackle other tasks with self-assurance. By mastering wall bars, children don’t just grow physically—they develop the mental resilience and confidence to approach new challenges.
How To Go About Using Your Wall Bars...
1. Understand Your Goal Before the Lesson as a Coach
Before you start, clearly define the purpose of the session. Are you focusing on improving strength, balance, coordination, or exploring movement? Set specific goals for each age group and skill level, tailoring the exercises and movements to meet your pupils developmental needs.
This helps keep the session focused and maximises engagement. Communicate your objectives with the students to give them a sense of direction and excitement for what they’ll be doing.
2. Safety First (Have Clear Rules)
Safety is the top priority when using wall bars. Establish clear rules, here are a few examples:
Wait for turns in clear designated lines.
Always have one hand and one foot on the frame at a time.
No jumping off the frame.
Always be alert to coaches instruction.
Stick to a safe amount of pupils on each "area" of the frame.
Providing a quick demonstration of safe techniques can prevent accidents and give students the confidence they need to try new skills safely.
3. Create Basic Sequences
Start with simple sequences that gradually build strength and control. For example, have students practice climbing up a few bars, holding positions then climbing back down, or climbing up 1, 2 or 3 steps then across to the other side of the frame. These basic sequences help familiarize them with the structure, fostering confidence and coordination.
Encourage them to repeat each sequence several times to develop fluidity. This methodical approach helps lay a strong foundation for more complex movements and improves overall fitness.
4. Allow Free Climbing
Once students have practiced these basic sequences that match your session goal, allow for some supervised free climbing. This can be an exciting and creative part of the session, where students explore the wall bars at their own pace, testing their own limits within the set safety guidelines.
Free climbing promotes independence and decision-making skills while also allowing students to enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Coaches can encourage them to discover new movements whilst celebrating their progress.
To Conclude!
We are hoping that this blog helps to emphasise the importance of setting clear goals when using school wall bars in PE and not just using it for the sake of using them. It also highlights prioritising safety through structured progressions and basic and simple rules to keep everyone safe.
By focusing on skill development at each level, students build confidence as they achieve each goal, creating a safe, supportive environment for active learning.
For more help with your PE development dont hesistate to get in touch with us!
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