This blog post is brought to you by: Fun and Function  
(My favorite all-the-sensory-things online store!)

………….

this …

Can I geek out for a sec?

How the brain works never ceases to amaze me.

Last month, at the ADHD workshop, I shared exciting research that showed SIGNIFICANT improvement in ADHD symptoms (Pontifex et al., 2013) from… 

Improving BALANCE! 

In fact, kids with ADHD commonly have hidden challenges with balance and coordination (Fuermaier et al., 2017)…challenges that often go unnoticed, yet deeply affect how their brain is working. 

Brain scans show structural and functional differences in the cerebellum for ADHD-ers, which is linked to balance and even executive function skills. 

So working on balance makes a lot of sense. 

Whether or not a child has a diagnosis like ADHD, balance work taps into powerful brain-body systems that support focus and self-regulation, which is great for ANY kid but especially kids that struggle with focus, coordination, motor planning, and even emotional regulation.

That’s any uniquely wired kid, right? 

While balancing does require strong strong muscles, the vestibular sense, the cerebellum, and well-integrated motor planning are all working together to keep the body upright.

How to Work on Your Kid’s Balance… 

You know there’s lots of strategies to work on focus, attention, and following directions. I love them, but they are in the moment strategies and don’t always get to the root of the struggle. 

Balance games do, and they’re FUN!

You can do them anytime, but the more often you play these balance games the more improvement you’re likely to see. Consistency is key here. 

My go-to tools are Fun and Function’s foam balance board and wiggle seat, which are multi-purpose!  

If you have both, you and your child can each stand on one and switch as you play the following games, or you can take turns (this helps your kid to continue playing longer!): 

• Toss with a ball
• Catch bean bags and put in a pile on the floor or bucket. Throw them back or at a target while bending over to pick one up at a time and continuing to balance
• Stand on one while drawing on a white board or piece of paper taped to the wall
• Hit a balloon back and forth (option to use a bat, which increases crossing midline) 
• Obstacle course station: Include the board in a series of movements through an obstacle course, supporting sequencing, visual-spatial skills, and motor planning.
• “Pose & Pause”: Strike an animal or yoga pose and try to hold for 5 seconds while standing on the board which is great for building inhibition and impulse control in a playful way.

Watch my demo of these balance activities ⏬  

Enter the Giveaway – Grab Your Own Balance Kit

Balance boards are a power house sensory tool.  Fun and Function has lots of options, including some that are more challenging, if your kid seems to have good balance and could use the challenge. 

Or, you can grab the same ones I have. 

But, make sure you sign up for their newsletter (even if you’re already on it) because:

1. You’ll get an exclusive coupon just for YKT subscribers
2. You’ll automatically be entered to win a giveaway to win the same balance board and wiggle seat I have! 

Click Here to Get the Coupon + Be Entered for the Giveaway!  

I’m so excited for you to give these balance activities a try.  If you have any questions leave them below. 

 Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 20 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.