Balance

The ability to remain upright when moving the entire body or shifting weight to move and reach for needed items throughout the day. Static balance is the ability to hold the body in a specific position, while dynamic balance is the ability to maintain balance while the body is in motion.

Children balancing

How it Impacts School Function:

  • Sitting in classroom chairs and maintaining balance and control
  • Walking in a line of students
  • Carrying tray during lunch
  • Managing a heavy backpack
  • Participating in recess activities especially navigating playground equipment
  • Focus on instructional activities
  • Outside clothing dressing and undressing for recess
  • Standing still and maintaining body control in lines 
  • Endurance for the school day

Static Balance Activities

  • Practice standing with feet slightly apart: raise one foot off the ground
    to balance on the other
  • Start with one hand on support and then gradually take the hand away
    to balance without support
  • Progress to standing longer times
    and then try with eyes closed
  • Place stickers or pieces of tape on the toe of the child's shoes
  • Have them raise their foot up and take one piece off at a time without losing their balance or holding onto support
  • Practice putting on/taking off shoes/boots/socks etc while
    standing up
  • Start by leaning against the wall and then progress to less support
  • Make sure to stand close to the child to help them with their balance

Dynamic Balance Activities

  • Practice walking along a balance beam, tape line or curb.
  • You can place numbers/letters etc on one end and walk to the other side to write them, etc.
  • March/step over different size heights using cube chairs, small step stools, wooden boxes, etc., that students can step up and down from.

Have the child walk across stepping stones, small steps, or other small toys/shapes that challenge their balance.

Walk up hills outside, up/down a curb or small stepstool, carpet to/from linoleum, wood chips, sand or pebbles outside on the playground, and uneven grass.

Practice playground equipment such as the climbing wall, climbing ladders, balance beams and activities outside on the playground.

Create a simple obstacle course with items to step up onto, jump down from, crawl through or over, crawl under, jump over, walk a line or beam, etc.

  • This is a half ball which is great to stand with one foot on to complete learning tasks, games or read while balancing
  • The child could stand with one foot up on it, stand with both feet up on the bosu ball or march up/down from it