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The joy of a baby sitting or crawling for the first time, the wonder of a toddler taking their first steps or spinning on a tricycle, and the happiness of a child doing cartwheels or riding a bike without training wheels.
Not only are these milestones emotional for parents, but they are also crucial steps in the development of good balance, motor skills and brains in toddlers!
It's easy to promote a child's balance at all stages of development. Understanding the importance of this aspect of their growth and using various methods to encourage their progress can contribute to their physical and mental health.
Why is balance development in children important?
Balance can develop naturally in children. One stage leads to another, each building on the previous one to expand the body's capabilities.
For example, the stages of developing good balance in infants include:
– lie on your stomach;
- crawl ;
- sit ;
– move while sitting;
– stand up; and
- to walk.
All of these crucial steps contribute to a child's overall sense of balance. If a step is missed, it can have future consequences, such as difficulty with certain body movements and/or reduced confidence when playing with others.
Furthermore, there are two specific types of balance:
- static balance, that is, keeping the body stable while remaining still (such as standing on one leg); and
- dynamic balance, which is the ability to run, jump, play and perform movements.
When these types of balances are developed properly, the results can include significant health benefits, such as:
– a sense of personal awareness of the body and the space the body occupies;
– strengthening of motor skills;
– brain development, particularly the formation of neural pathways;
– confident social interaction;
– participation in sport/enjoyable movements; and
– injury prevention.
This means that being able to avoid that piece of wood on the hiking trail or try the balance beam at the park offers a wide variety of benefits!
How to promote the development of balance in children?
Many children naturally develop a sense of balance. However, today's world can unconsciously contribute to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive screen use, both of which can hinder this necessary development.
To promote balance, motor skills, brain health, and confident socialization in children, try:
– tummy time for infants;
– the balance bike (bicycle without pedals) for toddlers; and
– boards and balance games for school-aged children.
Remember, balance is about balance.
The desire to protect one's child and prevent them from getting hurt is a major part of a parent's life. However, allowing a child to explore safely can help them discover their abilities and learn about natural and normal consequences. Adult supervision and safety equipment like helmets and pads can carefully encourage this development.
Balance is important at all stages of life. Whether for infant development or prevention in adulthood, balance training activities can contribute to overall well-being throughout life.