Children
like to challenge themselves by running, jumping, and climbing. Think back to
your own childhood. Did you ever:
- Climb a tree just to see if you could do
it?
- Jump off a wall or rock for the
sheer joy of flying for a moment?
- Try to navigate around your house
using only the furniture because the floor was, of course, actually hot
lava?
If
you did any of these things, then you know what parkour is. Growing and
morphing out of military-style obstacle courses, parkour offers participants,
called traceurs, the chance to gain strength and confidence while overcoming
similar obstacles.
In today’s competitive world, many children’s sports programs become bogged down in drill and repetitive practice geared toward developing a winning team. These drills may be successful, but they can also induce boredom that turns many kids off. Parkour for kids, on the other hand, is all about movement and creativity as the children themselves try to figure out the most efficient way of dealing with an age-appropriate obstacle.
Parkour videos on the Internet show traceurs leaping off of rooftops or hanging from a bar 20 feet in the air. Your kids have seen those videos so before they get hurt, consider that a supervised program with trained instructors in a gym setting is the safest way for them to learn these moves and the mental discipline that goes with them.
The thought process might run something like this: “Can I jump over it? If it’s too big to jump over, is there another way to pass it? Can I wriggle under it? What if I vault over it, using my hands and arms to support myself? Can I climb it?”
The physical benefits of parkour are undeniable. Your child will become stronger, more agile and coordinated, and gain stamina while having fun. Yet parkour also offers mental and emotional benefits in increased confidence and self-esteem. In addition, parents often discover that their child’s growth in problem-solving and critical-thinking techniques translates to better grades in school.
Parkour for kids, at Tumblebees is a win-win situation.
