Balance and coordination is essential in every facet of our everyday lives as well as the lives of our children. Proper balance is paramount to the growth and wellbeing of our little ones. However, many children across the country experience problems with balance, and many of these problems go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Let’s take a deeper dive into the importance of balance in your child and learn what we can do to best support them as they hone their abilities.
Why is Balance Important?
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), our sense of balance is a complex process managed by signals between the brain, ears, eyes and sensors in the joints and other body parts. This intricate system helps our bodies monitor and maintain their position as we move throughout the day, without us even having to think about it. Balance is a fundamental component of physical fitness. It involves the ability to maintain a controlled body position during a task, whether in static positions (such as standing) or dynamic movements (such as walking or running). Developing good balance is key to ensuring that children can navigate their environment safely and effectively. Moreover, balance is directly linked to the development of other motor skills, including coordination, strength and agility.
Children begin to learn the basics of balance at a very early age when maintaining head control, crawling, bending down to the floor to pick up objects and eventually being able to walk and run on different surfaces. These activities can help engage their core muscles, improve their spatial awareness and enhance their proprioception (the sense of the relative position of one’s own body parts). These skills are crucial for everyday activities such as playing outdoors, riding a bike and even sitting at a desk.
Concerns with Poor Balance
Poor balance in children can be a cause for concern. It can manifest in various ways, such as frequent falls, difficulty in performing simple tasks or a reluctance to engage in physical activities. These issues can stem from several factors, including developmental delays, muscle weakness or underlying health conditions. Moreover, it is difficult to recognize and diagnose, especially because children may not know the right words to describe their symptoms. Affected children may talk about a “spinning feeling,” say that their stomach hurts or simply walk unsteadily and seem clumsy. These side effects can ultimately be inhibitors during their everyday lives.
According to research conducted by the NIH, most balance problems are temporary and easy to treat but they may also signal a more serious condition that could have a lasting impact. The researchers found that common causes of balance problems in children can range from ear infections, severe headaches and certain medications to more serious neurological disorders, head or neck injuries and genetic conditions.
If you notice dizziness and balance problems in your child, you should consult a healthcare provider to rule out a serious underlying condition and take the next best steps to help restore some balance to your little one’s life.
The Role of Balancing Tools
Balance boards and balance bikes have emerged as popular tools to help children develop these critical skills. Balance boards — typically a flat surface atop a rolling or wobbling base — challenge children to maintain their equilibrium while performing various movements. This promotes strength, coordination and agility. Similarly, balance bikes — which are essentially pedal-less bicycles — encourage children to use their feet to propel and steer, focusing on maintaining their balance rather than pedaling. These activities are not only fun for them, but they also significantly contribute to the development of essential motor skills. Fun and engaging activities like these can also boost a child’s confidence. As they master these tools, they’ll have a sense of achievement and confidence, which can benefit them tremendously in their willingness to tackle new challenges.
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