Module 1 • School Readiness 3.3 Balance
When the child is balancing, he becomes aware of the fact that his body has two sides. The one arm goes up and the other one down to help him balance. An inner awareness of the left and right develops. From this, a dominant side develops. A child is then left-handed or right-handed.
The first step in learning the two concepts of the “left” and “right” is to teach the child how to balance. A child that struggles to balance will also struggle with the two concepts.
Exercises:
It is easy to walk on a balance beam. If you cannot make a balance beam, start by drawing a line of the floor or putting a rope on the floor for the children to walk on. Encourage the children to walk step by step. They must not look at their feet, but in front of them:
• Walk forwards on the balance beam while stretching your arms out to the sides. • Walk backwards. • Walk with your arms stretched out to the middle of the beam and then walk backwards in the same position.
• Listen to the rhythm of the drum and walk according to that rhythm to catch a beanbag while walking on the balance beam.
Stand on the balancing beam and... • Keep your balance. • Swing from left to right. • Swing forwards and backwards. • Bounce ball on the floor. • What trick can you do?
More balancing exercises: • Stand on your toes for 10 counts. • Stand on one leg for 5 and then for 10 counts. • Do the same as the first two exercises, but keep the eyes closed. • Stand on one leg and stretch out your arms. • Jump on your right foot (first with open and then closed eyes), repeat with other foot.
• Jump on your right foot. Repeat with other foot. 3.4 Large muscle movements
The following are exercises for large muscle control: exercise is necessary to loosen the shoulder and allow the muscles to move easily.
Exercises: • Row like a boat. • Swimming movements. • Imitate washing the floor or walls. • Imitate climbing a ladder. • Rake the leaves. • Throw and catch a ball. • Wash the dishes. • Imitate animals’ movements, e.g. fly like a butterfly. • Hit a punching bag.
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