How to Increase Balance and Mobility in a Toddler

As a parent, you want to do everything possible to ensure that your child is as healthy and happy as can be. Part of this caring is ensuring that your child is developing on schedule. If your toddler is currently struggling with balance and mobility, there are many things you can do to help.

Balance Bike

While you may hear the word bike and immediately think that it’s too far-advanced for your toddler, think again. A balance bike doesn’t have any pedals. Rather, it has a couple of wheels and handlebars for them to hold onto. This bike helps to allow your toddler to walk in sync as they go faster and faster. As their balance improves, you’ll even see them using the seat when they get their balance bike moving quickly.

Flat Balance Beam

When you think of a balance beam, you’re likely picturing a gymnast walking across a high beam. When it comes to your toddler, you can help to mimic this action. However, you’ll want to create a flat balance beam for safety. This could be as simple as sticking a five-foot piece of tape to the floor. Have your toddler practice walking down the tape without going off course.

Freeze Dancing

If your toddler likes to shake it, then freeze dancing can be a great game to help enhance both their balance and mobility. Start by playing one of their favorite songs. After about 20 or 30 seconds, turn it off. Have your child freeze in whatever position they’re in. This game encourages your child to keep moving in exceedingly wilder movements to make the freezing part of the game more challenging.

Stepping Stones

Raised stepping stones are well known to be a great addition to many gardens. However, they can also help strengthen your child’s balance and overall mobility. Whether you create raised stones in their sandbox to safely walk across or invest in plastic indoor stepping stones, your child will be both entertained and challenged at the same time.

Playgrounds

One of the best places for your toddler to develop their mobility and balance is on the playground. Fortunately, many cities and towns have created playground sections just for toddlers. This way, your child can learn climbing and crawling techniques without having to worry about older children bumping into them.

Kicking

The simple act of kicking may seem like a no-brainer for an adult. However, it takes a lot of coordination for a child to do. Focus on having your toddler kick small items, like a small ball or can. You can move up to bigger items, like a soccer ball or exercise ball, whenever they get the basic kicking movement down. If you really want to keep your kicking game fresh and exciting to grasp your toddler’s attention, add some bowling pins, water bottles, or pylons that they can kick the ball into. This added motivation can go a long way in helping to strengthen their kicking ability and boost their overall balance.