Balance for Kids: Essential Tips to Improve Toddler Stability

Balance is something that we all need to enhance as we get older, but what about when our children are learning to take their first few steps, learn to ride a bike, and generally improve their strength as they get older and more confident? Improving toddlers' stability involves a variety of different tools and techniques. Toddler gymnastics classes can accelerate the development of balancing skills while providing additional developmental benefits.

Why Balance is Important for Toddlers

We have to remember that balance is crucial for toddlers because it's such a key part of child development, as it's essential for maintaining controlled body positions. It can help to develop core strength, but it can also impact cognitive function Research has shown that balance skills can lead to better language development, reading and writing skills, and improved concentration. Therefore, by focusing on activities that enhance balance, we can support a child’s overall development and contribute to their wellbeing in the process. Many of the parents of our gymnasts of all ages have seen marked improvements in mental focus and self-discipline as a result of our gymnastics training programs.

Is Your Toddler Struggling With Their Balance?

Your child may need help strengthening their balance if they exhibit any of the following:

• Experiencing dizziness or blurred vision.
• They fall frequently or have difficulty maintaining their balance.
• A reluctance to engage in physical activities or have a fear of movement.
• Dropping or knocking things over frequently.
• Poorly developed muscle tone.
• An abnormal reaction to heights, whether a lack of fear or excessive fear, can be linked to issues affecting balance within the vestibular system.
• Difficulty with activities such as riding a bicycle, learning to read a clock, or even rotating objects in space could point to balance challenges.

Understanding Their Developmental Abilities

There are many things that can be done if you suspect any balance issues beyond typical developmental milestones. It's worth noting that typical developmental milestones relating to motor skills and balance vary.

Developmental Milestones:

• Up to the age of 11 months, you should see your child standing alone momentarily, working on improving their gross motor skills and balance.
• Between 12 and 15 months, they should be standing without support, enhancing their balancing activities.
• Between 16 and 18 months, they can stand on one foot with help and refine those balance skills.
• Between 19 and 24 months, they should further develop their balance control with activities such as squatting and jumping in place without falling.

Excellent Balancing Activities for Toddlers

There are many fun and engaging ways to help your toddlers work on their balance, coordination, and motor skills, and gymnastics classes for toddlers rank at the top of the list!

Keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace. We should be patient and supportive during this stage of development, but if you have any major concerns beyond the aforementioned milestones, you can always consult your pediatrician.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to incorporate balance and stability into our children's everyday lives, including the following activities:

Balance Beams

Introducing balancing beams with varying heights, such as in gymnastic settings, can aid in balance improvement.

Standing on One Foot

One of the most simple ways to challenge our toddler's balance is to have them stand on one foot.

Hopscotch

Whether indoors or outdoors, you can set up a hopscotch course with tape or chalk, resulting in hours of fun and an amazing way to help your children improve their balance and coordination.

Catching Falling Paper

Engaging your kids in this simple game can enhance their hand-eye coordination and balance skills at the same time.

Freeze Dance

An excellent game children play at parties; all you need to do is play music and the toddlers freeze when the music stops. This challenges their ability to stop suddenly, which can aid their balance development.

The Laundry Basket Run

Children love to climb into the laundry baskets, so encourage this by encouraging them to balance in various positions such as kneeling, sitting, or standing by placing them inside the laundry basket and pushing them along the floor.

Tightrope Walking

Rather than putting a tightrope up in the sky, you can use a string or jump rope along the floor to create a tightrope for your child to walk on, and as their skills develop, you can incorporate obstacles to add an extra challenge.

We Can Help!

If you are looking to help your children with their balance, feel free to contact us today to enroll your child in one of our gymnastics classes. With varying options for children of all ages, our programs will help your kids develop their balance skills and stability.