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Expert Q&A
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| By Harriet S. Worobey, M.A. Early Childhood Educator Director, the Nutritional Sciences Preschool | ||
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My toddler's balance is improving everyday! What activities can I do to reinforce this new skill?
As babies become toddlers, they are still growing physically at a rapid rate. The rate of growth of the head is still ahead of the rest of the body, so the head is still relatively large. The arms and trunk are more proportional than the infant's head, but the legs are still short in comparison to the rest of the body. Most toddlers are still clumsy and somewhat uncoordinated. Luckily, they are close to the ground and the many falls that occur are not painful and do not discourage them!
Most toddlers have "a motor in their behinds," which means it is impossible to keep them still for long. All of this moving about gives them the experience that they need to perfect their balancing skills quite well on their own. Playing games that toddlers enjoy playing will encourage balancing. An example would be hiding a favorite toy under a cushion and having the child go find the toy and bring it to you. He will need to toddle to the cushion, lift the cushion while balancing and then return holding the object in hand. Other fun games include rolling a ball to the child: He picks it up and throws it back while standing. Push toys and pull toys are also excellent for developing balance; small riding toys help develop leg muscles. Use your child's and your own creativity and have lots of fun!
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