Daily Activity for Kids – Day 37 – Balancing Activity
During this COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are home with their children and looking for things to do. This is a daily post to give you ideas of fun things to do. It comes from activities that we implement at our daycare centre using our Four Pillars of Learning curriculum. Since we are closed during this time, we are sharing the activity for you to implement in your own home. Enjoy!
Daily Activity for Kids – Balancing Activity
Balance is important for the healthy physical development of children. Age appropriate balance and coordination allows the child to be involved in sports with a reasonable degree of success as it aids fluid body movement for physical skill performance (e.g. walking a balance beam). It also helps children develop and maintain appropriate controlled body movement during task performance which, when effective, limits the energy required and minimizes fatigue.
With good balance and coordination there is less likelihood of injury as the child is likely to have appropriate postural responses when needed (e.g. putting hands out to protect themselves when they fall off their bike). The physical attributes of balance and coordination also allow appropriate posture for table top tasks and subsequent success at fine motor tasks.
Using an actual gymnastics beam isn’t the only way for a child to learn balance skills.
Indoors, use painters tape to make a straight line on the floor. Encourage your child to walk forwards, backwards, and sideways.
Outdoors, use a plank of wood, a rope, or make a line with chalk for the same activity. When your child masters a straight line, add semi-circles or zigzags to add a bit more of a challenge.
This daily kids activity incorporates many learning areas based on our Four Pillars of Learning curriculum including: physical activity and fine motor skills.