5 ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S BALANCE

Importance of Balance

• Everything we do relies heavily on our ability to balance! • Balance is a key skill to help your child progress with gross

motor development as well as everyday life. • Physical balance is a learned skill that can be maintained and

improved through practice. Balance exercises can strengthen our self-perception which can help the body to better position our muscles and allow us to sense where our body needs to be without looking.

• The following activities are different ways you can work with your child to help improve their static and dynamic balance skills.

1. Stand On One Foot

Stand with one foot on the ground while the other is resting on a stool in front of the other foot. • The primary goal is to

work towards balancing on one foot.

• If this is too easy, replace the stool with a ball for your child to rest their foot on.

• To progress, work on standing on 1 leg!

2. Stand On Top of a Bosu Ball

A Bosu ball is an exercise ball cut in half with a flat bottom. • If your child gets good at

this, turn the ball upside down (ball side down) so your child is standing on the flat side.

• If they can master this, have them balance on the ball and play catch at the same time!

3. Use an Exercise Ball or Balance Board

• A balance board is a flat surface made of wood or hard plastic that has a rounded or curved underside. Using a balance board can be very difficult, sometimes very challenging just to stand up.

• Or have your child sit on an exercise ball while playing games at a table! If this is too easy, have them take their feet off the ground and try to maintain their balance.

4. Walk on a Pretend Balance Beam

• Put two lines of tape parallel on the ground to create your pretend balance beam.

• You can start with the pieces of tape 6 inches apart and as your child gets better, move the pieces of tape 4 inches apart.

• If they “fall off” or step out of bounds – time to start over!

• If this becomes too easy you can utilize a real balance beam to develop these skills.

5. Now Close Your Eyes!

• Have your child try any of the these activities with their eyes closed.

• Balancing with your eyes closed is much harder than when your eyes are open.

• If your child has mastered all of the activities previously explained, take it a step further and have them close their eyes for an additional challenge!

Physical & Occupational Therapy at DMG

DuPage Medical Group Physical & Occupational Therapy has over 90 therapists on staff at multiple locations throughout the western suburbs.

To learn more about services offered visit our website. To make an appointment, please call 630-967-2000.