Improving 4 year olds balance? Post Reply

[travelmum]

Any advice on helping my tall for her age 4 year old improve her balance? She has trouble with balance both on things (bicycle even with training wheels, scooter, etc.) and on her own feet. We've ruled out a medical cause and doc reckons it may just be because she's tall for her age and bit gangly and hasn't quite got awareness of where all her body parts are in space!

Anyone got any suggestions for activities that might help her with this? I'm thinking maybe a beginners gymnastics class or similar might be good. Any recommendations?

[Ally03]

Hi,
You could try the Little Gym in Wandsworth...they have balance beams etc and I'm sure your little girl would find it fun. It may seem silly but play lots of games that involve balance too...walking along pavements avoid the cracks so she has to hop quickly between spaces, play hopscotch with her, even games like "Simon says" can be turned into good balance/spacial awareness practice, let her walk along low walls or fallen down tree stumps (like the ones on tooting common that kids always play on) but hold her hand if she is not confident.
The only other thing I would say is make it fun but don't make fun of her if/when she stumbles and falls (I'm not saying you do but sometimes friends/siblings may laugh and tease) as you don't want her to think there is anything wrong with her and to start to feel self conscious.
I'm sure she will be fine in her own time - even if she cant see it yet, what a lucky girl to be so tall!
Good luck!

[emben12]

What about playball? My daughter and lots of her friends do playball and love it. The classes are held in various locations around Wandsworth and are about introducing children to physical activity. Classes are tailored to the child's age and include different skills such as balance and ball skills, team work etc. they have a website with plenty more info. If you look at the class for four olds it will explain the program in more detail. They also do playball camps in the school holidays. Www.playballlondon.com.

[ChicagotoClapham]

My daughter had a similar problem and our doctor in America had us get het a "powerwing" scooter. It is one of those stand and wiggle scooters. It really improved her balance and it's unique in the neighborhood.

[zaza107]

Some of the local playgrounds have wobbly bridges, which might be fun and good for her balance. Try Upper Tooting playground, which has two. I agree with Ally03 as well, about walking on anything that resembles a balance beam (maybe a board in the garden, and you could make up lots of games using it?)