Learn to balance with body balance combinations!
The vestibular system is what helps us maintain our balance whether we are stationary or moving. It provides the brain with information about spatial orientation, motion and head position.
Children with good balance are likely to also have good posture. If they have exposure to a variety of balance activities are also more likely able to sit upright in a chair and have better focus and concentration.
Children learn to balance through body awareness
Children learn to balance by trying to achieve different physical challenges as they develop, from learning to stand up to getting dressed by themselves. They wobble, they fall and finally they learn to balance. Through repetion and encouragement children then naturally learn how to use their muscles to stop themselves from falling.
Parents can be overprotective. I know because I am also a mom and hated to see my children fall or struggle. Back then I was not aware that there is a benefit to learning this way. We have to encourage our children to get up and try again and to give them praise when they learn to balance or learn any new skill.
Teaching a Child to Balance
I have found that these particular verbal instructions are very helpful when teaching a child to do a basic static balance:
“Stand up nice and straight with your arms at the sides.”
“Reach your head up to the sky and make your self as tall you can.”
“Lift your arms out to the side and reach for the walls with your fingertips.”
“Lift one leg off the floor and hold it very still.”
“Let’s count: 1, 2, 3. Lower your leg and stand nice and straight.”
Age-appropriate variations
Two to three years
Just lifting a foot off the floor, even for a few seconds, will be challenging. Allow a child to hold onto your finger until they have the confidence to balance on their own.
Four to five years
They can be encouraged to lift the knee to hip height for three to five seconds. Getting dressed is a perfect way to practice static balance.
Six years and over
They should be able to hold the balance for several seconds and do it standing first on the left leg and then the right leg.
Two basic balances
I like to use these two activities with children during movement lessons. I always have the children learn to balance on their best leg first and then practice with the other leg. It is important that both sides of the body experience all movement activities.
Stork balance: Stand up straight with feet together. Slowly lift one leg and hold up the knee held to hip height. Try to keep the position without wobbling.
Side balance: Stand up straight with feet together and arms held out to the side. Slowly tilt sideways until the balance point is found and hold still.
7 fun ways to help your child learn to balance
- Encourage walking along low walls. Add a pretend play aspect. The kids are great at thinking of what they could be crossing.
- Encourage the use of balance beams in a playground. Have the children stop midway and balance on one leg or turn around without falling off.
- Do partner balances holding one or both hands.
- Pretend to be an aeroplane with arms out to the side and one leg off the floor. Don’t forget the sound effects of flying in the sky.
- Do body balances such as balance on one hand and two feet, on the bottom only, or on one knee and one hand. Hold each balance for five seconds. Have the children count out loud.
- When outdoors encourage your children to walk on tree logs and to step on stones.
- Ask the children to show off their own balance ideas, too!
Balance is needed for every sport
Testing and practicing balance is the only way for little bodies to learn to balance. Balance is needed for every sport or physical challenge that lies ahead for children.
If this fundamental skill is not learned in the early years when little bodies and brains are absorbing every experience, it could lead to coordination problems that are harder to correct at a later time.
Encourage your children to find creative ways to balance at every opportunity and know that you are supporting a very important part of their physical development.
I am happy to have a call with you to discuss your movement education needs. Whether it be about curriculum goals, resources, equipment or just general class management, I will gladly assist however I can.
