Nowadays, schools and families pay special attention to the healthy growth of children. However, parents are getting busier and busier, and they don't have much time to take their children out to play. This article will show you the benefits of balance beams for children and 6 recommended balance beam games. I believe it will be helpful to you.
Benefits of Balance beam for kids?
Improve children's body balance and coordination ability
The core function of the balance beam is to train children's sense of balance. When children play, they need to stay stable on the narrow wooden surface, and they need to mobilize the vestibular system (responsible for spatial orientation), proprioception (body's perception of position) and visual system to work together. Balance beam exercises can enhance children's ability to control body posture, reduce the occurrence of falling while walking and clumsy movements, and lay the foundation for other sports skills such as running, jumping, and ball games.
Enhance children's muscle strength and bone development
When maintaining balance on the balance beam, children's core muscles such as the abdomen and back need to continue to exert force, and the small muscle groups in the legs and ankles (such as the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius) will also constantly adjust the tension, thereby improving their muscle endurance and stability. In addition, moderate weight-bearing training (such as standing and walking) can stimulate bone growth and enhance bone density, which has a positive effect on preventing adolescent bone development problems (such as flat feet).
Promote the development of the nervous system
Balance beam training requires the brain to quickly process feedback information from various parts of the body (such as center of gravity offset, muscle tension) and issue adjustment instructions. This process can strengthen children's synaptic connections, improve the brain's reaction speed and information integration ability, and indirectly promote the development of children's concentration, judgment and spatial cognition.
Cultivate children's psychological resilience and self-confidence
Through repeated practice and successful experience, children can gradually overcome their fears and cultivate the resilience of "not giving up in the face of challenges". Every time they complete a gymnastic balance beam action, they will feel a sense of accomplishment and help children build the self-confidence of "I can do it". Especially for introverted children, this positive experience can enhance their social initiative.
Improve body posture and posture
When maintaining an upright posture on the balance beam, toddlers will unconsciously straighten their backs and tighten their abdomens. Long-term practice can correct bad postures such as hunching, hunching, and walking with the feet turned inward or outward, and develop a correct standing posture and gait.
6 recommended balance beam games
Little frog crossing the river (3-6 years old)
The balance beam is simulated as a "lotus leaf bridge". The child plays the role of a little frog, supports the wooden surface with both hands and jumps forward with both feet. After reaching the end, he needs to jump over the "lotus pond" (soft cushion) and return. You can set a "catch pests" task, place plush toys on the balance beam, and ask the child to touch them with his hands when jumping.
High-altitude dribbling challenge (over 4 years old)
Load ping-pong balls with a cart, and the child pushes the cart on the balance beam to keep the body stable to prevent the ball from rolling off. Set up "S-shaped curves" or "undulating sections" (use pillows to raise the wooden surface) to increase the difficulty.
Animal imitation show (3-5 years old)
Imitate the walking methods of different animals to pass the balance beam:
Crab: walk sideways and keep both hands raised sideways;
Penguin: walk fast with knees slightly bent;
Giraffe: stand on one foot for 5 seconds and then change feet to move forward.
Rescue the small animals (4-6 years old)
Use the balance beam as a "single-plank bridge" and the child needs to transport the stuffed toys to the "safe house" (cardboard box) on the other side. You can set up a "broken bridge" (20 cm in the middle) and ask the child to jump across on one foot.
Team balance challenge (over 6 years old)
2-3 children stand on the balance beam at the same time and maintain overall balance by adjusting their positions. Challenge "Unbreakable Forest": Each person holds a plastic stick and moves and exchanges positions at the same time to ensure that the stick does not fall.
Mysterious Tactile Adventure (over 3 years old)
Walk barefoot on balance beams of different materials:
Sandpaper wood surface: feel the rough touch;
Cushion cover: experience soft elasticity;
Pebble paste: stimulate the nerves on the soles of the feet.
Whether you are a parent or a school teacher, you can choose the right balance beam for your children to train them and improve their sensory integration ability. Tongle Playground Company focuses on the production and sales of children's playground toys. If you have any questions, you can contact us and we will provide you with professional answers.
