Although balance doesn’t mature in children until the age of 12, improving balance and sensory processing skills early in life will help children to excel and will help those with challenges such as dyslexia, Down Syndrome, ADD and ADHD improve dramatically. Research shows that balance skills help children to develop better language, improve reading and writing skills, improve concentration and body control.
What is Balance?
Balance is the ability to maintain control of a particular body position whilst performing a given task with minimal postural sway. Maintaining control of body positioning requires good static and dynamic balance, reducing the energy required to perform a host of tasks and activities whilst minimising fatigue.
Static balance is the ability to maintain control of a position whilst remaining stationary – for example, standing on one leg or balancing while reaching for a fireman’s pole.
Dynamic balance is the ability to maintain balance and control of the body whilst moving, such as walking along a balance beam, jumping, swinging, climbing or transferring from the steps to the slide.
What if a child doesn’t have balance?
Children who do not have good balance are:
at a much greater risk of injury. They may stumble and fall as they seek to move quickly without the necessary skills of recovery.
more likely to find it difficult to sit still and pay attention. Lack of balance may present with fidgety, restless behaviour and an inability to maintain focus and concentration. This obviously has a big impact on learning.
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