Balancing is one of the most important body management skills for a child. Children need to have a stable postural stability and balance before executing any movement. Balance is attained when the centre of gravity is over the base of support.

 

In order to achieve a good static balance, a child must maintain a desired shape or position in a stationary position over a period of time (for at least 5 seconds.) The wider the base of support, the closer the centre of gravity is to the base of support.

 

This makes it easier for the body to balance. Moving from a wide base balance to a narrow base balance will be a good progression of static balance for the kids.

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Contrast to static balance, dynamic balance requires the child to perform a certain movement while balancing. It involves the control of the body as it moves in space.

 

Dynamic balance is essential for any movement, such as a balance position when throwing or catching a ball. All movements require some sort of static balance, from which all controlled movement originates and is managed through effective posture and muscular contractions and relaxation.

 

Often, the child needs to transfer the weight from one part of the body to another in order for them to maintain balance. In dynamic balance, the body parts extend and the centre of gravity move beyond the base of support. In this way, the body needs to make a corresponding action in the opposite direction to achieve counterbalance.