5 - 7 YEARS PARKOUR

In our 5 - 7 years parkour classes the main focus is the develop students with a athlete mindset.

This is one with a

can doo attitude

focus and listening skills

ability to take critical feedback without emotionally shutting down or throwing a tantrum

personal responsibility.

At this age students require a lot of repetition of the fundamentals.

We do not train intermediate or advanced moves here as they do not have great coordination at this age.

Also, we do not do gradings or intense conditioning as they are not as emotionally or mentally ready for this level of training. However, it is still a training rather than playing environment.

THE PROBLEM WITH PLAY

These days we live in a hedonistic world were the mantra is do what you love. But is this really the best code to live by?

I meet a lot of parents who have children at 8 years old who say "my child will not commit to anything". I would argue that the reason why is became the child has only ever been in play environments. They have never been trained and don't know its value.

When you play, you do what you like, if you are having fun then you are playing in the right way. As soon as the activity is no longer fun you stop. When you are learning a new skill, there will be times were you struggle, or you have to repeat an activity many times before you get it. This struggle can be uncomfortable and repetition boring. So yes, not always fun. So of course your child quits at the first sign of challenge.

The other issue is that when you play, no one can tell you that you are playing in the wrong way. If you are having fun then it is the right way. You will often hear a students say "well i don't want to do it you way I want to do it my way". Because their way is more fun to them. But it means that they do not have the ability to be guided by someone more experienced.

The student who has had a positive experience of following another will understand the value of critical feedback and guidance.