How can tree climbing be valuable learning?

Last year we were asked to support Sue Stovers with her presentation ‘climbing trees’ at the NKA conference.  This opportunity got me thinking, how can tree climbing be valuable learning for our tamariki?  How do we challenge our children to reach their ‘risk taking’ goals?  And does it actually help children to build resilience in our kindergarten environment?

“To climb a tree is for a child to discover a new world”.  (Friedrich Frobel)

At Mairtown kindergarten we are all for children taking responsible risks within their learning.  Risk taking can be viewed in many different ways and forms, and climbing trees is one way we promote it.  We believe it is highly important to have a risk rich environment, this is underpinned through our image of the child, that they are capable, confident and competent lifelong learners. Our environment promotes a nature based curriculum and we are fortunate to have trees of varying sizes for our tamariki to explore and learn to climb.  We also have our monkey bars attached to our big trees, this is an excellent starting place to gain physical strength and confidence to climb.   

“Daily small manageable risks add up to big gains in a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence over time”.  (Nell Regan, 2018)

The teaching team all value the importance of children learning how to climb trees for themselves.  There is no way to rush the process, it takes time for children to develop their muscles and build up their physical strength and confidence, to gain the knowledge that they are strong enough to achieve their goals.  We are lucky to have many wonderful rangatiratanga who can lead by example and role model how to climb.  It is crucial for children to learn how to get themselves up the tree by them self and then they will instinctively know how to get back down again.

“Raise them with an inch of caution, a mile of freedom, and a bucketful of strength.  Children need our courage, not our fear”.  (N. Ryan)

There is no doubt that tree climbing can be both dangerous and safe.  I know for some adults the thought of children climbing high up in trees is terrifying, however, for me seeing children running on the concrete is far more concerning, I would rather see them up a tree.  To children, a climbable tree is a provocation, a challenge, something to conquer.  I believe that the adult’s attitude and/or fears towards tree climbing can have a huge impact towards the learning being successful or negative.  I have always loved nature and grew up climbing trees from a young age, mainly because I really wanted to get up into our tree hut where my older brother and sister were playing. 

I highly value the importance of trees and I think it is great how much valuable learning develops through learning to climb trees.  I believe it is important for children to learn to trust their own gut instinct and understand their own limits to navigate climbing trees. 

“Taking risks in play is essential for children’s growth and development.  Risky play can help children learn their strengths and weaknesses and become more aware of their limitations so that they can learn to take care of themselves".  (Nell Regan, 2018).

It is interesting to observe children learning to climb trees.  It is like they instinctively know how high to climb; finding that point where they feel safe as they learn their own limitations, about their bodies and perseverance.  This is all valuable learning and wonderful life long skills, which children will use widely throughout their life and educational journey.  I love that climbing trees is so beneficial for all tamariki, not only physically but also emotionally.  I also feel it is important to respect children’s goals, whether we think they are big or not.  Sometimes it takes lots of little goals to achieve the big goal.

Research states that “Tree climbing is a risky play activity that has many benefits for the developing child. Kids love the challenge of climbing trees. The physical challenge creates a boost to a child’s self-esteem and the feeling of accomplishment.  There is also a mental challenge to climbing trees. Focusing on “solving the problem” of how to get up the tree creates a resilient “I can do it” attitude when faced with both mental and physical problems in the future.  Some researchers in Florida have measured the cognitive benefits of risky activities like tree climbing.  They found that using your mind to navigate through the tree and operate your hands and muscles while climbing has a tremendously beneficial effect on your cognitive abilities. The improvement in working memory is one of the skills they measured to have marked improvement”. (Nell Regan, 2018). 

This term we have had new children join our kindergarten whānau and it has been lovely to see them rise to the challenge of learning to climb trees and tackle the monkey bars.  I believe it is like anything in life, having a positive attitude goes a long way.  As a teacher, I find it rewarding to see our tamariki conquer doing things that may make them feel a little worried, then use the opportunity to assess the risk and take a responsible risk to master the feeling of achievement.  Indeed all valuable learning.

“The more risks you allow your children to make, the better they learn to look after themselves”.  (Roald Dahl)

Mā te wā

Susie