Balance as a Part of Child Development
Did you know that balance is integral to your child’s development? It is the foundation for all motor skills.
Balance is the ability to maintain a body position. It allows your child to sit at a table, lets them participate in sports and activities, and helps prevent injury. It is considered a foundational motor skill because all motor skills require some aspect of balance. It is a building block that allows other motor skills to develop.
For some children, balance develops naturally; other children need more practice to get their muscles and systems working correctly. Whatever the case may be, balance activities are great to incorporate into your child’s play!
Types of Balance
There are two main types of balance: static and dynamic. Both types of balance are essential for motor function.
Static balance is the ability to maintain body control while standing still. For example, standing on one leg.
Dynamic balance is the ability to maintain body control while moving.
Balance Activities
Balance activities don’t have to be complicated! There are many ways to incorporate fun activities that work your child’s balance without them noticing. Of course, depending on your child's age, not all of these activities will be developmentally appropriate. However, many of these activities can be adapted to suit your child.
Involve movements such as:
Somersaults
Cartwheels
Jumps
Standing on one foot.
Skipping
Squats
Running
Activities:
Build an obstacle course
This can be done in the house or outside. Use your creativity and include as many balance activities as you can!
Play hopscotch
Hopscotch is a fun way to practice jumping from one foot to another.
Walk the plank
Draw a line with chalk, mark a line with tape, or find lines (like in the pavement) and have your child walk along it.
For a more advanced version, pretend a log in the park or your backyard is a plank and have your child walk across it and jump to the ground.
Ride a bike
Start by providing a child with a play bike, move to training wheels, and then teach your child how to ride a bike without training wheels.
Play Simon Says or Freeze Tag
Simon Says is great to play with a smaller group, while freeze tag is an excellent activity for a larger group of players. Both are great for children’s parties!
Go to the playground or indoor play center.
Playgrounds are built to develop your child’s balance and motor skills. They have balance beams, stairs, slides, swings, obstacles, and so much more. They are also free.
If you want to treat your child, take them to an indoor play center, such as one with trampolines, inflatables, ball pits, etc. This could even be a McDonald’s play place.
Trouble with Balance
If you see that your child has trouble with balance and may fall a lot, seek help from your pediatrician. Many aspects can affect balance, and some are not developmental. This is why it is crucial to see a specialist. The activities listed here only aid in strengthening balance skills but will not replace therapy.
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Braley, Pam. “So You Want to Be in the Circus! 3 Fun Gross Motor Balance Games,” The Inspired Treehouse, 3 April 2014, https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/so-you-want-to-be-in-the-circus-gross-motor-activities/
“Why is Balance So Important?” Balance Ability, accessed 31 October 2022, https://www.balanceability.com/about/who-we-are/