It’s
1:30 in the University Lab School gymnasium. A group of elementary
students file in for P.E. After a quick warm-up activity the
students line up to try their skill at one of their favorite
activities. A boy pauses for a moment and considers his plan
of attach, and then climbs onto the horizontal rock wall. Tongue
sticking out of this mouth in concentration, he makes his first
move going right across the wall. A few minutes and several
careful moves later he is nearing the end of the 71 foot rock
wall. When he reaches it he will climb down, turn around and
share an excited, “I did it!” with fellow students
or teachers.
Rock climbing is a sport that has been developing some popularity
over the last several years. Indoor rock climbing walls are being
put into public gyms and schools across the country.
In
2003, the University Laboratory School was the first school
in Baton Rouge to get a rock climbing wall, which was made
possible by funding through the University Laboratory School
Foundation. Several panels make up the 71 foot wall that students
use to practice climbing right or left across the wall. Next
to it is the vertical wall. At a height of 24 feet it nearly
reaches the ceiling of the gym. At the top of the walls rest
a small horn for climbers to blow when they reach the top. It
is the only vertical wall in a Louisiana school.
Many
rock climbers say they prefer climbing to lifting weights or
working out on cardio machines. Rock climbing has a lot of
the same physical benefits such as increased strength and dexterity.
“It
takes upper body strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination,” says
Lab School Physical Education teacher Joanna Faerber.
Rock
climbing also helps students with their motor planning. Students
have to think and plan their next move on the wall. This helps
their problem-solving skills. Vertical climbing also teaches
students the importance of teamwork. Because the climber is
attached by a rope called the belay to a “belayer ”who
is responsible for help to support them and keep them from
falling, the climber must learn to trust both the equipment
and their belayer. The belayer can also offer suggestions of
where to move next on the wall. |
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 The rock wall can also teach patience, perseverance, goal setting,
and the bene fits of positive risk-taking.
“Because it’s a risk-taking exercise it helps the
kids to attempt something they’re afraid of,” says Faerber
who also calls it a confidence-building activity. “Their courage
grows by succeeding in positive risks and their con fidence increases
from achieving their goals.”
The rock climbing wall can also be used with students with a variety
of disabilities. One student with spina bifida works with Faerber
on the vertical wall while the other students work on the horizontal
wall.
“Climbing helps him build strength in his upper body, patience, perseverance, and
goal-setting. He is able to climb and be successful just like his
classmates,” says Faerber.
The rock wall is a favorite of the elementary school children. “Last
year we had several kids say everyday, “I’m
going to try to get higher,” says Faerber. “They get
up there, look down, and wave. There’s a sense of accomplishment
and pride. I had a parent crying last year because her son finally
made it to the top.”
Reproduction
Courtesy of the LSU College of Education. Article/Photographs
by Jennifer Neubauer. Joanna Faerber, contributor. |
