Lessons
Topic 5: What Is Balance and How Can I Help?
As you recall from Level 1 when we examined the vestibular system, balance is directly connected to the vestibular system, core strength and vision as one of the four legs of the vestibular stool. Balance helps us hold our bodies still and controlled.
Balance is uniquely tied to most of the Pivot to Play™ Strengths and Skills and by default, the more secure a child’s balance, the easier those other strengths and skills will come to him, making classroom and playground success easier to achieve.
How do we know if a child has poor balance? Some signals include:
- An inordinate amount of falling, bumping into things or people
- Poor core strength
- Challenges with motor planning
- Poor endurance, tires easily
- Poor spatial, body or directional awareness
- Challenges with walking on uneven surfaces
- Depth perception challenges
- Vestibular challenges
How do we strengthen balance?
- Walking on balance beams, 2x4s, bales of hay, cardboard building blocks, Dyna Discs, thick cushions or any unstable surface
- Walking up hill
- Walking on uneven surfaces
- Yoga poses like Tree, Warrior or Triangle
- Jumping
- Climbing
- Swinging
- Sliding
- Riding a bike