Balance Exercises: Improve Balance and Motor Integration

This page contains Balance exercises 1-3, which help to improve balance and motor integration.
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Balance exercise 1

For this exercise one needs about twenty boxes, like shoeboxes. Arrange the boxes in two rows, so that the learner can step in them. Let him walk in the two rows of boxes, stepping into each box in turn.

See the demonstration video below.

Make sure the learner has mastered Balance exercise 1 before proceeding to Balance exercise 2.

Important note: Watch out for the following signs, which indicate that the learner is not ready to proceed to Balance exercise 2:

• Obvious discomfort on the learner’s face.
• The learner tenses his body to maintain his balance.
• The learner steps on the floor in between steps to maintain his balance.
• Learner places his hand on the floor to maintain his balance.
• Improper foot placement, e.g. treading on sides of the box.
• The learner swings his arms wildly to maintain balance.
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If you notice any of the above, the learner is not ready yet to advance from Balance exercise 1 to Balance exercise 2, or from Balance exercise 2 to Balance exercise 3. You must continue with the Balance exercise that you are currently working on until none of the above symptoms are visible any longer.

Balance exercise 2

Only two boxes are needed for this exercise. Put the two boxes side by side on the floor. The learner puts one foot into each box. The tutor stands behind the learner. He then lifts up one foot, and the tutor pushes the box under this foot forward with her own foot. The learner steps into this box, and then lifts his other foot for the tutor to push this other box forward. The tutor continues pushing alternate boxes forward, so that the learner can walk forward, stepping in the two boxes.

See the demonstration video below.

Make sure the learner has mastered Balance exercise 2 before proceeding to Balance exercise 3.

Balance exercise 3

Again one needs two boxes only for this exercise. The learner steps into both boxes, and then lifts one foot off the floor, balancing only on the other. He then bends down and moves one box forward, so that he can step into it. He then lifts the other foot, bends down, and moves the other box forward.

See the demonstration video below.
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