There are loads of benefits of using a balance board no matter how old you are. Child or toddler balance boards are great for helping young kids improve their balance, build muscle strength and gross motor skills, and help with core strength, posture and coordination. Plus they are loads of fun to play with and relax on.
Using a toddler balance board can help improve a child’s motor skills, coordination, balance, focus, and posture, while also providing a fun and active alternative to screen time.
Balancing on a board requires children to engage their core muscles and make small adjustments to maintain their balance, which can help improve their overall motor skills, coordination, and balance.
What is a Toddler Balance Board and Why Use One?
A toddler balance board is a simple but effective tool for helping young children develop their motor skills, coordination, and balance. These boards typically consist of a flat wooden or plastic surface that is slightly curved or rounded on the bottom, allowing it to rock back and forth or side to side.
Using a toddler balance board has numerous benefits for your child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Here’s a look at some of the top benefits:
Improved Motor Skills
Using a balance board requires children to use their muscles and coordination to stay balanced, which can help improve their overall motor skills. As children learn to control their movements, they become more confident in their abilities and may be more willing to try new physical activities.
For toddlers, developing motor skills is crucial for their growth and development. Using a balance board can help them learn to control their movements and develop the necessary muscles for running, jumping, and other physical activities.
Building Muscle Strength
One of the key benefits of using a balance board, and the reason they are used by athletes, personal trainers and physiotherapists, is that balancing and rocking is great for building core strength, stability and lower body strength.
It’s the same principle as using an exercise ball, you have to make lots of tiny adjustments to stay stable and this uses lots of muscles that you might not otherwise be exercising and strengthening. Rocking from side to side on the wobbel used both the muscles in the legs as well as the core and is great for helping kids build their stability for all sorts of other activities.
Improving Balance and Coordination
As well as building physical strength using a toddler balance board is brilliant for building coordination in children and strengthening the mind-body connection. They improve balance by strengthening the core muscles and stabiliser muscles that make them steadier on their feet in general and better able to navigate all the play equipment at the play park.
Promotes Healthy Development in Other Areas
Engaging mind and body and keeping kids physically active is also beneficial in many other ways. Moving the body helps them assimilate learning in other areas and improves their ability to concentrate. This is especially important on days where you aren’t able to get outside and walk or play.
It’s Fun
Providing children with fun things to do and play with is one of the joys and challenges of being a parent. A Wobbel board or other toddler balance board is a brilliant toy because it allows children to have fun in so many ways. They get to be physically active rocking from side to side on a rowboat or a pirate ship, they can practise their yoga moves or even handstands, and it can be a surfboard or a hoverboard.
Sit down on the wobbel and it becomes a perfect child-sized rocking chair for cosy storytime or the perfect spot from which to watch a movie. They also make great dolls beds, half pipes for mini skateboards and a fabulous addition to a marble run set up.
Turn it over and it’s a step to help them reach things that are too high and practise their climbing skills or it’s a chair to sit and have a snack. Place one end on the sofa and it becomes an indoor slide or a ramp for toy cars.
Enhanced Balance and Coordination
Balancing on a board requires children to control their movements and maintain their balance, which can improve their coordination and balance in other activities such as walking, running, and jumping. This can have benefits for everything from playing sports to walking up and down stairs.
Using a balance board can help toddlers learn to balance their weight evenly on both feet, which is important for proper posture and gait development.
Increased Focus and Concentration
Balancing on a board requires children to stay focused and engaged, which can improve their ability to concentrate and pay attention in other areas of life such as school or play. This can have benefits for academic performance and can help children develop better attention and concentration skills.
Better Posture
Using a balance board can help children develop better posture by strengthening their core muscles and encouraging them to maintain a straight spine. This can have benefits for everything from sitting at a desk to playing sports.
For toddlers, developing good posture is important for their overall physical development. Proper posture can help prevent back pain, improve breathing, and support healthy growth.
Reduced Screen Time
Using a balance board provides a fun and active alternative to screen time, which can help reduce the amount of time children spend in front of screens. This can have benefits for both physical and mental health, as excessive screen time has been linked to obesity, sleep problems, and other health issues.
By using a balance board, toddlers can engage in active play and develop their physical skills without relying on screens.
Improved Sensory Integration
Using a balance board can also help improve sensory integration, which is the ability to take in and process information from the senses. Balancing on a board requires children to use their proprioceptive sense, which is the ability to sense the position and movement of the body.
This can help improve their overall sensory integration and can have benefits for everything from motor planning to emotional regulation.
Creative Ways to Use a Balance Board
While a balance board may seem like a simple tool, there are many creative ways to use it to engage toddlers and promote their development.
For example, parents can challenge their children by asking them to balance on one foot or to reach for objects while balancing. Parents can incorporate the balance board into other activities such as obstacle courses or pretend play.
Safety Considerations
While using a balance board can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers, it’s important to take safety considerations into account. Parents should supervise their children while they use the board, and ensure that the board is placed on a stable surface to prevent it from tipping over.
Parents should choose a board that is appropriate for their child’s age and weight, and should check the weight limit before allowing their child to use the board.
Alternative Tools for Development
While balance boards are a great tool for promoting child development, there are also other tools that can be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to balance boards. For example, therapy balls and therapy bands can help children develop their motor skills and coordination, while also providing sensory input.
Sensory toys such as fidget spinners or squishy balls can provide a fun and engaging way for children to improve their sensory integration.
Choosing the Right Balance Board
When choosing a balance board for your child, it’s important to consider factors such as durability, age-appropriateness, and your child’s interests and preferences.
Consider the size and weight of the board, as well as any additional features such as handles or grips for added stability. By choosing the right balance board for your child’s needs, you can ensure that they get the most out of their playtime and development.
Using a toddler balance board can have numerous benefits for your child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. By incorporating a balance board into your child’s playtime routine, you can help them develop their motor skills, coordination, balance, and sensory integration in a fun and engaging way.
When choosing a balance board, be sure to consider factors such as durability, age-appropriateness, and your child’s interests and preferences, and be sure to take safety considerations into account. With the right balance board, your child can experience the benefits of this simple yet effective tool for years to come.
FAQS
What age is appropriate for using a balance board?
Balance boards can be used by children as young as 18 months, but it’s important to choose a board that is appropriate for your child’s age and weight. Some boards may have a weight limit, so be sure to check this before allowing your child to use the board.
What are the benefits of using a balance board for toddlers?
Using a balance board can help improve toddlers’ motor skills, coordination, balance, focus and concentration, posture, and sensory integration. It can also provide a fun and active alternative to screen time.
Are there different types of balance boards?
Yes, there are different types of balance boards available. The classic design consists of a flat surface that rocks back and forth or side to side, but there are also wobble boards, rocker boards, and other types of balance boards that can offer different experiences and benefits.
How do I choose the right balance board for my child?
When choosing a balance board, consider factors such as durability, age-appropriateness, and your child’s interests and preferences. Additionally, consider the size and weight of the board, as well as any additional features such as handles or grips for added stability.
Are balance boards safe for toddlers to use?
While using a balance board can be a fun and engaging activity for toddlers, it’s important to take safety considerations into account. Parents should supervise their children while they use the board, and ensure that the board is placed on a stable surface to prevent it from tipping over. Additionally, parents should choose a board that is appropriate for their child’s age and weight, and should check the weight limit before allowing their child to use the board.
How can I incorporate a balance board into my child’s playtime routine?
There are many creative ways to use a balance board to engage toddlers and promote their development. For example, parents can challenge their children by asking them to balance on one foot or to reach for objects while balancing. Additionally, parents can incorporate the balance board into other activities such as obstacle courses or pretend play.
Can balance boards be used for children with developmental disorders?
Yes, balance boards have been used for years in physical therapy to help improve balance, coordination, and strength in children with various motor and developmental disorders. By incorporating a balance board into your child’s playtime routine, you can help support their physical development and potentially prevent or address any issues that may arise. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before using a balance board with a child who has a developmental disorder.
