Balance Activities

** All Balance activities must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

** All Balance activities must be practiced in a clean, clear, and open environment.

Step over obstacles

-For single obstacle:

Use an obstacle(4-8 inches high such as a cereal or toy box). Have your child stand behind the obstacle and then step over to go towards a target such as a puzzle, coloring activity within home.

Complete __5 times_______

-For multiple obstacles: Arrange obstacles(4-8 inches high such as a cereal or toy box) in a straight line path. Have child stand behind obstacles and then ask them to step over the obstacles to walk towards a target such as a puzzle, coloring activity within home

Complete __5 times____

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

-Allow child to hold your finger or hand while stepping over obstacle

-Make the obstacle lower.

Was that too easy?

-Have child step over a higher obstacle

-Have the child step sideways or backwards over the obstacle

Stand on 1 foot

Standing like a statue with one foot lifted off the floor.

Ask child to hold foot up for as long as he/she can or _20__ seconds.

Complete___3__ sets.

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

-Allow child to hold your finger or hand while lifting foot

-Allow child to hold wall or sofa while lifting foot

Was that too easy?

-Have child put their hands on their hips

-Have the child look around the room at different colors(playing eye-spy)

Alternatives to make it more fun and interesting!

(Popping bubbles with your feet)

(Balancing small stuffed animals on the top of the foot and lifting them up into a laundry basket to “clean up”.)

(Place short toys, stickers or pieces of paper of various colors in front of or around a standing child and have them tap their toe on each color as it is called out. This can be done faster or slower depending on the child’s ability to balance with so much movement.)

(Stand with one foot on an unstable surface, such as a ball or and sing song for 10-30 seconds without losing balance,

(Play balloon volleyball using only your feet!)

Walking on a line

On 6-8 foot taped line on floor--sideways, forward backwards

Walking along ling outside(cracks in ground/driveway, lines on sidewalk)

Complete __3-5___ sets

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

-Allow child to hold your finger or hand while walking across the line..

Was that too easy?

-Have the child try walking backwards?

-Try placing toys or other objects like bean bags at a few points along the line – can your child reach down and pick them up without stepping off the line?

Tree pose

Stand on one leg and place the foot of the other leg on the stance leg below the knee as shown. Do not place the non-stance foot on the knee. Place the palms of your hands together at chest level or above the head. Hold this position for as long as you can or __20____ seconds.

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

Allow child to hold onto an object or stand against the wall at first. They try to have them let go.

Was that too easy?

Have them move their arms while balancing with their foot above their ankle.

Have them try to bring their foot above their knee on their stance leg.

Video for Tree Pose

From Cosmic Kids

https://youtu.be/bG4ValU7TmI

King Dancer (Flying pose)

Balancing on one leg. Move head forward bending at the hip with hands outstretched in front while moving the lifted leg behind you.

Keep nose in line with outstretched arms and lifted leg. Hold position for as long as you can or ___20 seconds______.

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

Allow child to hold onto an object or stand with their stance leg against the wall at first.

Was that too easy?

Have them move their arms right to left(pointing to + on the floor) or up and down while balancing..

Video for Flying Pose

From Cosmic Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKQS6YWAmRc

Standing on an unstable surface

Standing on an unstable surface--such as a pillow or couch cushion, practice balancing on two feet with your hands folded over your chest. Try to stand like this for as long as you can or __20___ seconds. Complete __3-5__sets.

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

Bring arms out to side to help with balance
Use one finger along wall or stable surface for support

Was that too easy?

Practice looking in various directions throughout the room
Practice moving around out to the side
Practice closing your eyes---Have someone stand close to you in case you lose your balance!

Standing on pillow while playing catch with someone

While standing on an unstable surface--such as a pillow or couch cushion, play catch with a family member. Try to stay standing on the surface while catching and throwing an object for as long as you can or ___3__ minutes.

Complete __3-5__sets.

Questions for after--

Was that too difficult?:

Try having someone roll the ball instead of throwing at first. The throw the ball back to the family member.

Was that too easy?

Throw the ball to the side to the child has to rotate to catch the ball

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