Purple Gymnastics Beam

Benefits of a balance beam:

1. Cultivate a sense of balance and coordination, improving body control and stability. 2. Enhance vestibular and tactile sensitivity, promoting balanced development of the left and right brain. Working on a limited range of motion on a balance beam strengthens coordination of various body parts, body balance reflexes, and visual coordination, improving spatial awareness and motor planning.

How to Play a Balance Beam Game:

Balance Beam and Ball: Individual activity: Children can push, toss, bounce, and dodge a large ball on the balance beam. Depending on the child's ability, they can choose to stand still or walk while manipulating the ball. They can do this with their eyes open or closed. Children with good performance can try various walking styles.

Group Activity: 1. Children stand at either end of a balance beam, or on opposing beams, and pass the ball to each other while walking or standing still. 2. Play dodge and hit: Children dodge or counter balls thrown by other children while moving on the balance beam, using various body parts, such as their head, hands, and feet.

Balance Beam Balancing: Individual activity: Children stand on a balance beam. The teacher places an empty paper cup above their heads. Children must keep their hands away from the cup and keep it steady while moving along the beam. Group activity: Two children stand back to back, balancing a paper cup across the beam. Two children stand back to back, hands clasped, and coordinate their movement while balancing the paper cup over their heads.

Balance Beam Stone Movement: Adults place ice cream buckets on either side of the beam. Children squat and shift the buckets as they move forward.

Balance Beam Jumps: Children stand, with their left foot on the beam and their right foot on the ground, and alternate jumping across the beam.