Personal Best Is More Than Sport

Personal Best and The Benefits of Learning to Climb

Some of our Upper School Students are currently taking part in rock climbing as part of the new Personal Best Program here at BISC. The Personal Best programs has many aims, some of which have already been set and some of which are being determined as we go through this inaugural year.  The sports and activities that we have chosen to offer students have been decided upon after much deliberation over how they will benefit growing and developing pre-teens and teens. This is highlighted through our choice of rock climbing as one of the first activities part of the program.

Climbing is not only great exercise but helps students to develop resilience and problem solving skills. The skills children learn through rock climbing and other physical activities can help them to climb their way to success in school and in life. These are just some of the transferable characteristics and skills that students gain from learning to climb:
Responsibility:  Children have to learn how to take responsibility for their own safety. They must carefully follow instructions and double check their own equipment before every climb. They learn to consider their own safety and the safety of others in different situations.
Problem solving:  Children have to mentally plan a route up the wall and then adjust that plan if they get stuck. This requires quick, flexible, and creative thinking - skills essential for success in today’s rapidly changing global workforce.
Motor skills:  There are few other sports that use such a variety of motor skills. Children develop hand and finger strength which helps to improve dexterity and mind-muscle connection. They also gain physical strength in their arms, legs and their core muscles. Other physical benefits include bilateral coordination – where children learn to use both sides of their body together. This helps create neural pathways across the mid-line of the brain, reinforcing the mind-body connection.
Resilience:  Children learn to challenge themselves, set their own personal goals and endure when they are struggling. They realize that they are supported by climbing coaches so it is safe to fall or make mistakes and try again. They also have a group of friends,peers and coaches,cheering them on every step of the way. Resilience, also known as grit, leads to greater success in life than a person’s innate ability alone.
Confidence:  When a child succeeds at a challenge they have set for themselves they gain confidence in their ability. They are more likely to take risks in learning in other areas.

Participating in climbing and other physical activities helps children to grow physically, emotionally and socially, developing skills that will support them in school and later on in life. The uncertain conditions they face in experiential learning activities mimic the environment we face in the real world, forcing students to learn how to adapt to different situations.  We will continue to offer activities through Personal Best that reinforce these skills to not only challenge our students physically, but to develop who they are and will become with a holistic mind-set.