7 Effective Exercises To Develop A Child’s Balance

Even very simple activities and exercises can be used to develop a child’s balance and posture, both of which require mastery of motor skills. In order to get the most out of the exercises, the child should perform them both standing and in motion. An additional challenge is obtained by doing exercises with your eyes closed.

7 effective exercises to develop a child’s balance

1. Standing on one leg

Ask the child to stand on one leg with his or her other leg on a bench or other level of suitable height. This is a simple exercise that develops a child’s balance. It can be made more difficult if necessary, for example by replacing the bench with a ball.

2. Utilizing the balance board

A balance board is usually a plastic round or rectangular board with one side convex. Instruct the child to place the board on the floor with the convex side down and place their feet on either side of the balance board. The exercise is very simple, as the child only needs to stand on the board and as if unnoticed develops his balance and strengthens his muscles.

3. Walking between tapes

Tape the floor with two colorful tapes side by side. Leave about 15 cm between the tapes at first. The child is supposed to walk between the tapes. If a child touches the tape with his foot, he should start over. Make balancing more difficult by leaving about 10 cm between the two tapes next. Once your child is used to walking between the tapes, you can place the balance boom slightly off the floor. To prevent the child from injuring himself, place something padded under the boom, such as pillows or a non-exercise pad.

4. Screen jumping

This traditional play is a great exercise to develop a child’s balance and in addition it is a fun pastime with the family. Draw squares on the asphalt for jumping with street chalks and ask the child to jump the squares with one foot. The play can vary so that in some boxes the child jumps with one foot and in some he can jump with both feet.

5. Trampoline balancing

Ask the child to stand on a safe-sized trampoline on one leg. To make the workout a little more challenging, you can climb the trampoline yourself and walk on its outer perimeter while your child is balancing. In addition to being fun on the trampoline, it is a great exercise to support a child’s physical development.

6. Exercise ball balancing

One great way to exercise your own balance is to sit on a gym ball. Challenge the child and forbid him to put his feet on the ground while sitting on the ball. If this exercise is too easy, give the child another exercise at the same time. For example, you can play a card or board game with a child while the child is sitting on a gym ball.

7. Riding a bicycle

Riding a bike is definitely one of the best exercises to develop a child’s balance. Let your child start with an easy-to-use bike with auxiliary wheels. A younger child can start on a kick bike before practicing riding a real bike. Once the child has learned to move the bike correctly and you feel that the child is already well enough, it is time to take the spare wheels off. First, it is important for you to be close to the child so that no injuries occur and so that the child gains self-confidence. Soon the child will be able to ride the bike independently.

All of the exercises presented above support the development of motor skills essential for a child’s development. These exercises can be modified to develop a child’s dynamic and static balance and improve his or her spatial perception. This is accomplished simply by asking him to close his eyes during the exercises.