How to Improve a Toddler's Balance & Vestibular Processing Skills During Play

Toddlers are known for falling alot. That is because they are new to walking, running, climbing, and all of the other gross-motor activities that they enjoy doing. They also tend to get in a rush and overly excited causing them to fall. The vestibular sense which is located in the inner ear contributes to balance abbilities. Everytime the head moves, the vestibular system should be activated, and help the person balance. That is why it is important to offer a toddler a variety of movement opportunities to help them gain better balance skills.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• toddler
• toys for the toddler
• lots of energy to play

1. Have a variety of toys for your toddler that are for indoor and outdoor gross-motor play. "Hand me downs" from neighbors, consignment stores, garage sales, and clearance shelves are a good place to look when on a budget. If not, most retail centers and toy stores have a variety of options. The vestibular system is activated by the head (and body) moving in 5 different ways: up & down, front-to-back, side-to-side, upside down, and rotation (AKA spinning).

2. Toys and activities that promote the toddler to move in an up & down pattern are: jumping on two feet off of the ground, hopping on one foot off of the ground, marching, jumping on a mini-trampoline, jumping on a "moonwalk", bouncing on an adult's lap, jumping off of a stair, bouncing on an exercise ball (AKA pilate's ball), riding a teeter totter (AKA see-saw), climbing up a ladder or park equipment to then go down the slide on the other side, and bouncing while seated on a horse on springs. For a toddler who isn't walking yet, a standing activity center that allows the child to bounce is a good choice.

3. Toys and activities that promote the toddler to move in a front-to-back pattern are: swinging, climbing through a fabric tunnel, climbing through a tunnel or obstacle on playground equipment, rocking horse that is low to the ground, being pulled in a wagon, pulling toys or sibling (or pet) in a wagon, any push toys (e.g. grocery cart), any ride-on toys including a tricycle, pushing a laundry basket with toys or laundry in it, pushing a stroller with shopping bags or another child in it, rocking chair, gliding chair, rocking porch swing, and walking/running with a pony on a stick between the legs.

4. Toys and activities that promote the toddler to move in a side-to-side pattern are: swinging while seated to the side such as on a glider swing, galloping sideways,dancing while swaying side-to-side, and laying on a blanket while being taken on a "magic carpet" ride as the adult pulls the toddler sideways across the room.

5. Toys and activities that promote the toddler to move his head upside down (AKA inverted)are: flip flops, forward rolling, cartwheels, rough-housing, going down a slide head first (for safety have the arms out to the front), hanging upside down over an exercise ball that is held by the parents, "wheelbarrow" walking on the hands as the adult holds the toddler's waist or legs, lying upside down over a sofa, and animal walks (bear walk, donkey kicks, etc.).

6. Toys and activities that promote the toddler to move in a spinning (AKA rotary) direction are: "Ring around the Rosy", sit-n-spin, twirling around like a ballerina, running in circle, merry-go-round, rolling within a sheet pretending to be a burrito, spinning on a tire swing, spinning in an office chair, and sliding down a circular slide. Remember that to stimulate both sets of vestibular receptors in the inner ear when spinning, go each direction when possible such as stopping the tire swing when spinning to the right, and then spin it to the left. Many toddlers get dizzy easily because their vestibular systems can't handle alot of spinning prior to age 2 years, so be careful. Signs of overload would be turning pale, nausea, vomit, dizzy, and getting quiet.

7. Vestibular input (all movement) can be accumulative especially when intense. So, to work on better balance while climbing, maybe all that is needed is a small amount of swinging and jumping prior to the climbing activity. Also, if your toddler seems extra hyper-active, he may need more play sessions or for a longer amount of time, or more intense activities. For example, swinging at a slow speed may not be intense enough for some toddlers to get "the wiggles" out, and may need more climbing and activities that require their muscles to work and not be as passive such as with swinging.

8. Some vestibular input is calming and other input can "perk up" the toddler. If you want your toddler to get calm down such as before bed time or when he's acting too silly, use movement that is side-to-side or front-to-back in a slow rhythmical manner such as in a swing or being rocked in a chair. All other vestibular input tends to be alerting, especially when it is fast-paced. Movements that "perk up" are: spinning, upside down, up & down. Movements that tend to "perk up" a child are especially beneficial for the "laid back", under-responsive child, or child with low muscle tone and muscle weakness.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a good supportive tennis shoe for your toddler
• While spinning, look to make sure the toddler isn't overloaded and feeling ill
• If your toddler is behind in achieving his gross-motor skill milestones, consider getting a physical therapy evaluation (PT) with a pediatric PT. An evaluation may also be needed if the child's legs turn in or out after already walking for at least 3 months. Also, if the child can only walk on his tip toes, falls even when sitting, or has tight leg muscles, PT may be necessary.
• When toddlers have ear or sinus infections, certain motions may seem scary to them
• Some medications have side-effects that impact the vestibular sense and balance skills

[momoftwingirls]

on 8/24/2009 Excellent article on walking and toddlers. For my twins, well Twin "A", the only reason she ever falls is because she never stops running. She does not pay attention to where she is running or what she might run into. LOL 5 stars like your last articles I read.