Sometimes balancing boards called Montessori boards, challenge a child’s sense of balance. They are used to develop proprioception – a person’s awareness of the body. Balancing boards are not just fun and entertaining, they also have many health benefits for the development of the toddler. Check out the article to learn more.
How Does A Toddler Balance Board Works?
You can find balancing boards for adults, they help train muscles. We know how the balancing board works, but what about kid’s boards? How do they work and how can they benefit a child’s healthy growth?
The idea is that the toddler learns how to balance their body. When using the toy, a toddler will inevitably shift their body. As a result, the toy will move and a toddler will have to adjust the body according to the movement of the board.
The movement has a positive impact on the child’s perception of the environment. This movement also increases awareness of the child since certain actions are needed to be done to stay on board. So, the kid learns how to respond to the movement.
At first, when the child only starts playing, the board will keep producing unwanted movements. But eventually, the toddler will learn how to control the movement and create a positive experience. It’s extremely fun to play with the board when you know how to control it! It’s like a swing, but safer and at home.
Naturally, this toy has some benefits for the toddler’s development.
Benefits For Child’s Development
As it was mentioned, the very obvious benefit is that the child develops body awareness and some balance skills. When the board changes position, the child learns how to react. It’s a skill that helps the child to stay safe. But there are less obvious benefits, for example:
- Better physical development. When using the toy, a toddler has to use muscles to not fall off the board. It makes your child’s limbs stronger, and it will benefit your kid in the future.
- Can be used by kids of different ages. Even older infants can use the board as a toy and climb on or under it. Toddlers and children can use the toy to create a fun experience.
- Improving cognitive functions. If you give your toddler free will to do whatever they want with the board, you will see how the child tries to figure out how it works.
Such a simple toy as a balance board can be a source of joy and happiness. And while kids are playing, they learn more about the world and how it works.
