BABY BALANCE

MAGNIFICENTCHILDREN.LOVE

GROW YOUR MAGNIFICENT CHILD

CHAPTER 49

LEVEL 7.

BALANCE: FROM BABY TO GYMNAST. Baby’s balance development.

Future balance development: 

Your child should now have excellent balance development and be a keen participant in many activities where she can balance well. She will now be able to use her natural balance abilities in the many different activities she chooses to pursue at present and in the future. She might be interested in water sports and might enjoy surfing, aquatics, surfboard riding, or body board riding. She might be interested in joining one of the many junior athletics groups that meet around the world and participate in activities including running, long jump, high jump, javelin throwing and obstacle course running. Or she might prefer to ride horses, play soccer, sail sailing boats, climb mountains, climb rocks, be a gymnast, or be a ballet dancer.  Whatever she chooses to do she should now have excellent balance for her age and she will continue to refine and perfect her balance abilities when she participates in whatever activities she chooses to do. 

Bicycle riding: 

If your child is not yet riding a bicycle then now is the time for her to begin. Ensure that the bike is a suitable size for her, that she wears a helmet and wears suitable clothing. A bicycle shop should be able to help with information about bicycles and clothing.  Begin by familiarising her with the bike. Show her how it works, how the wheels turn, how the pedals and the chain turn the rear wheel and how the handlebars are used for steering. Have your child sit on the bike and pedal slowly while you hold the bike and move slowly around with her. At first you will hold the bike firmly to prevent her from falling. Over the next few months gradually, day by day, reduce your control and give her more control until she becomes an independent rider. Twice each day have a ten minute riding session; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Use the bike at other times for recreational rides as required but avoid allowing the bike to replace walking or running from one place to another.  Although children can actually commence riding a bicycle at age 2 or 3 years it is preferable that they first develop excellent walking and running abilities. 

Fun balance activities for parents and children:

Bicycle riding: 

Twice each day have a ten minute riding session; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Use the bike at other times for recreational rides as required but avoid allowing the bike to replace walking or running from one place to another.  

Trampoline:

Three times each day encourage your child to jump, bounce and perhaps do forward roles on the trampoline for four minutes. 

Future balance development: 

More information about activities that are appropriate for your child’s future balance development can be found in Level 7 of BABY’S GREAT ADVENTURE.