At this age, your child’s balancing skills are improving greatly. He can stand on one foot for a few seconds, as well as hop on one foot. It’s good to encourage activities that promote balance. They will help him be more successful at sports, as well as everyday activities, and they will improve his posture, which will lead to fewer back problems in the future. Balancing and jumping activities also keep your child mentally alert and sharpen his spatial awareness. So, try some out today!

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Play Tips:

How can you support your child’s development of this Active, Coordinated Movement skill at this age? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Start small. If your child is having trouble balancing on one foot, start by having him place one foot on the ground and the other on a stool or a ball. This will help him get used to the position he needs to be in to balance on one foot. The stool is the easier item to start with, and you can switch to balancing with a ball as your child improves. For a greater challenge, have your child try to play catch while in this position.
2. Get out the tape. Begin balance practice on the ground. Mark out a path with a roll of masking tape and have your child walk along it, staying on the tape. You could also make a double line of tape, about six inches apart, to start with. This will challenge your child to stay within the lines. You can decrease the distance between the lines as your child gains skill.
3. Cross a “river.” A fun jumping game is “river crossing.” Get out that tape again (or you could use two ropes, if you’re outside), and mark a river through your living room. Start off narrow, but widen the “river” as your child gets better at jumping. Tell him you’re going on a hike, and when you come to a river you’ll have to jump across it. Create different story lines by having treasure on the other side of the river or traveling to a special destination.
4. Do yoga together. Yoga poses are a great way to work on your child’s balance as well as build your child’s flexibility and strength. Choose simple poses with fun names, such as Cat Pose or Boat Pose, to get your child interested. Books, videos, and even a deck of cards called Yoga Pretzels are available to help you get started.

(Playful Bee is launching our new DIY Preschool from Birth program! Click here to enroll.)

Developmental Milestones:

Has your baby achieved the following Active, Coordinated Movement  developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) he has already mastered to date using Playful Bee’s developmental milestones tracker. It’s absolutely FREE and easy to use, just click HERE!

• Hops and stands on one foot for a few seconds (balance).
• Participates in a variety of indoor and outdoor play activities that increase strength, endurance, and flexibility.

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Playful Bee

Education Team at Playful Bee

Playful Bee is an e-Preschool that delivers inquiry-based preschool learning from the classroom to your home. Our preschool curriculum was created by our talented team of rock star teachers. With years of hands-on preschool and Kindergarten teaching experience, they've developed a high-quality preschool experience that is convenient-to-use and easy-to-teach by you, grandparents, or your nanny at home.

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