Why you can only improve balance by challenging it

 

By the age of 5 children should be able to stand on one foot and throw and catch a ball but not many can.

Find out why! 

Children who struggle with balance will often avoid the very activities they need to improve their balance. You may describe your child as clumsy and notice that they fall and trip over a lot or they may avoid the very activities that would challenge their balance.

Children with poor balance will struggle with their gross motor skills and in turn their fine motor skills.

 

Did you know there are 3 systems in your body responsible for your balance?

Vision, Vestibular and Proprioception. All three work together to tell your body where it is in space and to keep you upright. To improve balance each system needs to be challenged.

Your vestibular system is in your inner ear. When you move your head up and down your ears are telling you that your body is moving.

Your proprioception system is the feeling of pressure through your feet telling you what type of surface you are standing on or moving across. It tells you that your feet have changed angle when walking up a hill and changes your posture to cater for it, so you don’t fall over.

 

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