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Your child needs to let off steam in the open air and it shows. So choose a sporting activity in which your child will develop fully by escaping into the countryside.
From 4 years old: your child can ride a horse
This activity initially requires agility and good contact with the animals. Before thinking of setting off at a gallop on your proud steed, you must first learn to stand upright on the back of a moving animal! THEThe little ones are generally introduced to ponies, often less friendly but also less impressive than horses. They study the posture, the walk, then the seated trot, finally the gallop (when they feel ready!). All in a carousel, enclosed indoor or outdoor, protected and on the ground covered with sawdust to cushion any falls. Then, the child can go for a walk, provided they have chosen a club located near natural spaces that allow it.
The benefits : above all, this activity strengthens self-confidence. The child must be able, for his own safety, to dominate the animal he is riding. But this authority is not exercised by violence; it requires calm and respect. The apprentice rider begins by coming into contact with the pony or horse by grooming it, brushing it, harnessing it, talking to it… This step, which is very rich from an educational point of view, remains essential. Even if, in some courses, it is directly approached, and with success, more fun practices, such as equestrian acrobatics
Good to know : If your child is terrified by equines or if he has vertigo (a horse is tall!), Forcing him to practice horseback riding will not solve the problem. Although this sport has become more democratic, it remains quite expensive (equipment, registration, travel). This is understandable because the maintenance of animals involves high costs.
Equipment side : a bomb (reinforced cap to protect the head, from 20 euros), thick and resistant pants (later, riding breeches, from 12 euros), boots tightened under the knee (to protect the legs friction against the flanks of the animal, from 12 euros in plastic) and a good rain suit (windbreaker from 20 euros). The equipment of the frame is provided by the club.
From 5-6 years old: climbing for children
Before tackling natural walls, young climbers often go to practice on an artificial wall in a sports hall. But if you live in the countryside and you are offered an initiation into nature directly, you can accept without fear: the sites are carefully chosen and prepared. Equipped with a harness (seat belt that covers the chest and legs), under the watchful eye of a specialized instructor, children climb gradually while learning safety gestures: check their equipment, tie solid knots, ensure your catches… Main quality required: knowing how to follow instructions.
The benefits : since he knows how to move on his own, your child loves to conquer the summits – it has certainly not escaped you! Climbing has the merit of showing him the risks and the limits of this fascinating activity. When he reaches a height of a few meters, his very keen instinct for self-preservation will indicate to him that it is advisable, as he has been advised, to concentrate, to measure his movements and to respect the safety instructions. He immediately receives the reward for his efforts, his size, his weight and his agility allowing him to progress quickly. The little introverts gain in confidence, the reckless ones in control of their movements.
Good to know : vertigo, like fear of water, is one of the fears that we can only get rid of with patience. By forcing a child to practice rock climbing, it is risking endangering him. As this is a potentially dangerous activity, it is particularly important to check the skills of the interveners.
Equipment side : gym tights (from 10 euros) and climbing shoes (from 25 euros). In general, the club lends the harness (around 40 euros) and the ropes.
From 4 years old: your child can learn mountain biking
As soon as they know how to cycle well, your child can join a group of happy mountain biking (mountain biking) hikers. In perfect safety, thanks to careful supervision, which calms the ardor of risk-taking and encourages the less courageous.
The benefits : mountain biking tests endurance and concentration, necessary to negotiate difficult passages on more or less uneven terrain. It exercises team spirit, because we have to stay together and help each other. Generally, the activity takes several hours, with real outings where the child learns to balance his energy and support his effort. Even a very toned little one can come back exhausted! It is accompanied by an introduction to safety rules and the highway code. It teaches you how to take care of your “mount” and give it emergency first aid. Finally, a significant advantage is that mountain biking is an activity that can be practiced with the family
Good to know : the comfort and safety of the child depend on the quality of the bike. It must be reliable and perfectly suited to its size. If the purchase of an ultra-sophisticated model is not compulsory, the ATV should be checked and maintained regularly. Even if the child will be introduced to it little by little, initially this task falls to his parents.
Equipment side : a junior mountain bike (from 120 euros), a mandatory helmet (10 to 15 euros), knee, wrist and elbow protectors recommended (10 to 15 euros per set) and sports clothing and shoes.