Balance beam

Balance is the ability to spread weight equally, control and stabilise the body when a person is standing still, or when moving. Walking, climbing or even sitting all require balance.

Two types of balance
Dynamic balance – the ability to maintain posture while moving, such as walking.
Static balance – the ability to maintain posture while stationary (not moving off base) such as standing and talking or sitting, while drawing, writing or reading.

What is a BALANCE BEAM?

A balance beam is a wooden bar more or less 5 meters long and 10 cm wide, which is typically raised from the floor on legs at both ends.

The Neuro Dynamix Balance ‘Beam’ consists of 7 pieces: 3 wooden bars and 4 supports (2 end-supports with one peg each and 2 joiner-supports with two pegs each to join bars 1 and 2, and bars 2 and 3).

What is the purpose of the Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars?

Using a balance beam means walking on something above the surface of the ground. The vestibular system is challenged and helps learners to practice and develop balance and coordination; build core strength and learn how to balance their bodies when the level and direction changes.

When starting with low surfaces it allows learners to develop confidence and the skills needed to move on to higher and narrower balance beams and other unstable equipment, for example, a chain bridge, or moving surfaces like elevators, escalators and bicycles. The value of the Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars is the versatility it offers to develop these skills.

NO SHOES. Neuro Dynamix brings about the best outcome when done without shoes and socks.

 

Stable Balance Beam

 
Suggested Mind Moves before you introduce Stable Neuro Dynamix Balance Beam:

Encourage the parents to do the Rise and Shine with the learner at home before bedtime at night and if possible before school in the morning. This Mind Moves activity has been found to lower anxiety and dissolve stress hormones prevalent in learners with immature nervous systems.

Mind Moves Rise and Shine Stand behind the learner. With the learner’s arms wide open guide his arms to close over his chest to hug and accept himself, while the parent simultaneously gives him a sincere and affirming hug. Breathe deeply and slowly. Do a few of these hugs to enable a learner to rise in posture and shine with confidence. >> Watch Video

 

Suggested activities for the Stable Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars:

Balance is established over time and needs lots of practice to develop gradually. Before stepping onto a raised balance bar, draw a line on the floor and encourage learners to walk heel-to-toe with their arms at 90˚ angles to their bodies, while holding a beanbag in each hand and their head held high. When the learner is comfortable with this, do the following:

• Use the 3 bars to create a straight balance beam that is flat on the ground and walk the length of the beam.
• As confidence increases, walk backwards and sideways on the straight balance beam that is flat on the ground.
• Add a beanbag either on their head or between the chin and neck to increase the challenge level.
• Jump off the last beam, at first small jumps, then larger jumps and into a hoop or over an obstacle (or two).
• Create a straight balance beam elevated off the ground and walk the length of the beam.
• Walk forwards, backwards and sideways on a straight balance beam elevated off the ground.
• Dip walk (walk and dip one foot pointed to the side of the beam and touching the ground).
• Walk on tippy-toes: forwards, backwards and sideways.
• Combine any of these activities with a beanbag either on their head or between the chin and neck to increase the challenge level.
• Jump down the beam, at first small jumps and then larger jumps and into a hoop or over an obstacle (or two).
• Kick walk.
• Kick walk on tippy-toes.
• To stimulate creativity skills, learners can play imagination games, such as pretending they are crossing a river full of crocodiles; are walking on a slippery surface; are walking through goo; walk like a giant/tiny mouse, gallop or skip.

Learners need to be competent at these activities before attempting the next activities.

Suggested activities for Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars and changing directions:

Position the elevated Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars to form angles and follow the sequence of activities as suggested above.

Suggested arrangements for the Balance Bars include:

• Position each of the bars in a zig-zag pattern.
• Position each of the bars angled to the LEFT so that the learner turns only to the LEFT while walking on the balance beam.
• Position each of the bars to the RIGHT so that the learner turns only to the RIGHT while walking on the balance beams.
• Place a hoop in the middle of a straight balance beam. The learner walks in a straight line on the beam, bends, climbs through the hoop while still on the balance beam, stands up straight and walks to the end of the balance beam.
• Add a beanbag on the head or tucked in under the chin to raise the challenge level.
• Put beanbags in a straight line, about one step apart, three beanbags per bar so the learner can step from one beanbag to the next. They need to stand to regain their balance before taking the next step. Stepping onto the beanbag that is on the balance bar, means they balance twice.
• Place one beanbag on each of the bars and let the learner walk to a beanbag, grasp it with the toes of one foot and pass it to the learner’s hand while maintaining balance. Walk on and do the same with the other two beanbags. Stop at the end of the last balance bar and throw the beanbags in a hoop or container, throw them one by one.
• Put a hula hoop flat on the ground, then a stable balance beam, then another hoop. The learner needs to jump in the hoop with two feet together, walk heel-toe on the balance beam, jump off the balance beam and out of the hoop with two feet together.

 

Suggested activities for Unstable Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars:

The Unstable Neuro Dynamix Balance Beam consists of 3 pieces. These three pieces are also used as step-and-catch apparatus and can be combined in a variety of ways to challenge the learners’ vestibular systems even more than the stable Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars.

The activities for the Unstable Neuro Dynamix Balance Bar are only to be done once a learner can complete all of the above activities on the stable Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars and with confidence. Do the following activities:

• Put one of the bars on a stable surface (LOW side first). Learners will have to step on the LOW side so the bar stays stable. They need to take the next step that will tip the bar upward and then stabilise before stepping off the bar. Go slowly and safely to allow them the opportunity to gain confidence.
• Put one of the bars on a stable surface (HIGH side first). Learners will have to step on the HIGH side which will tip the other side of the bar upward. They need to stabilise and take the next step that will tip the bar downward and stabilise before stepping off the bar. Go slowly and safely to allow them the opportunity to gain confidence.
• Use two bars and put the first bar on a stable surface (HIGH side first), the second bar with the LOW side first. A learner will have to step onto the HIGH side first that will tip the other side of the bar upward. They need to stabilise and take the next step that will tip the bar downward and stabilise before stepping onto the next bar with the LOW side first so the second bar stays stable. The next step will tip the bar. They need to stabilise before stepping off the bar. Go slowly and safely to allow them the opportunity to gain confidence.
• Put one of the bars on a stable surface (LOW sides first). Learners will have to step onto the LOW bar and take the next step that will tip the bar downward. Stabilise before stepping onto the next bar with the HIGH side first. This creates lots of instability and even some anxiety – be there to support them. They need to stabilise before taking the next step that will lower the bar before stepping off the bar. Go slowly and safely to allow them the opportunity to gain confidence.
• Put the three Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars (HIGH sides first) in a straight line. Learners will have to step on the HIGH side that will tip the other side of the bar upward. They need to stabilise and take the next step that will tip the bar downward and stabilise before stepping onto the next bar that will tip that bar. Go slowly and safely.
• Use one of the Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars and two hoop stands. Turn the balance bar on its side and fit each end of the balance bar into the two hoop stands to create a raised obstacle. Place this obstacle between any of the unstable bars positioned in a way you think is fit to raise the challenge level of three consecutive unstable bars. Slow and rhythmic walking shows skill while rushing means that momentum and not the vestibular system is doing the job.
• Place the three Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars at different angles to each other to challenge the vestibular system to pay even more attention to changes in direction, stability, height and sequence.

 

What skills relate to various Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars?

The Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars help learners develop physical skills, while they are also developing their confidence and social skills.

The following skills are also developed by the Neuro Dynamix Balance Bars:

• Proprioception
• Gravitational security
• Isolated muscle movement
• Balance
• Posture
• Core strength
• Muscle tone (cephalo-caudal and proximal-distal)
• Coordination
• Eye-foot coordination
• Agility
• Reaction time
• Fluid body movement
• Skilled performance.

Speed is important, but only once these skills have been mastered.

Children who master balance, coordination and motor skills can also be more primed for school and academic performance. Kids who master physical skills can sit more comfortably because they have the appropriate posture. They can also handle things such as writing or opening a book more easily because they have the motor skills to hold a pencil, turn pages and the other skills needed to complete school tasks.

>> Developing Balance, Coordination and Fine Motor Skills on the Playground