Park Balance Trail
What you need
- a park or playground with a low log or two, or a low wall
How to do it
- At the park, find three things to cross that are no higher than your child's knee: a low log, a low wall, a row of stepping stones.
- At each one, let them choose how to cross: walk it, crawl it, shuffle along sitting, or hold your hand.
- Say what they chose: "You crawled the wobbly one and walked the flat one."
- Go round the trail again and see if they choose differently the second time.
Why it matters
Choosing how to cross is judging the log with their whole body, and there's no wrong way to get to the end.
What they're learning
- Picking a way across
- Walk, crawl or shuffle: their pick every time.
- Balancing
- Arms out, eyes ahead, feet on the log.
- Judging a height
- Looking first, then deciding.
What to look for
Notice them testing a log with one foot before they step on.
A tip
Press on each log with your foot first to check it's dry and steady, and stay right beside them on every crossing.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: use one low log and walk beside them
Harder: carry a soft toy across each one without dropping it
