Challenge Children's Motor Skills with Balance Playground Equipment

As adults, we relish the memories of playing outside with friends, climbing the jungle gym, jumping rope, and playing games like flag football and hopscotch. Little did we know these activities were helping to build our motor skills and foster our overall development. 

Over the years, research has shown that exposing children to a sensory-rich environment with social, physical and cognitive activities is crucial to childhood development and helps build a strong foundation for their future success. Experts say the critical period for childhood development occurs during the first five years of life, with the first three years being the fastest brain development time period when the brain forms neural connections that set the foundation for future learning and growth. While this time period is pivotal, development continues well beyond age five.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTOR SKILLS
During adolescence, physical activity becomes increasingly important as it builds a child’s strength, agility, speed and flexibility, improving their overall motor abilities. In fact, motor skills impact many aspects of a child’s growth and learning:

⦁    Cognitive development: As children build their motor skills, they simultaneously develop problem-solving abilities and spatial awareness. Stacking blocks, navigating an obstacle course, or balancing on a beam all require hand-eye coordination, focus and planning.

⦁    Independence and self-care: With increased confidence, children gain greater control over their environment, allowing them to perform tasks on their own and explore their surroundings more freely.

⦁    Social and emotional development: Motor skills boost a child’s confidence and willingness to engage in activities with their peers, which encourages more social interactions and friendships.

⦁    Health and well-being: Physical activity plays a large part in building motor skills, resulting in better circulation, increased oxygen concentration, reduced risk of secondary diseases, and overall improved health.

⦁    Learning readiness: The focus and concentration necessary to build motor skills can be applied to a child’s educational development inside the classroom. Cognitive functions like calculation, reasoning, and comprehension can flourish with better motor skills. 

In a 2021 Kids Activity and Learning Study by Research Triangle Institute, more than 50 three- to five-year-olds were split into two groups: one group participated in a motor skills program for 30 minutes twice a week for eight weeks while the other group was part of a waitlist control group. Those who participated in the motor skills program performed better than children in the waitlist control group on all outcomes and tended to show the biggest gains in mental processes and mathematics during their school year.

It’s clear that motor skills play a crucial role in a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Just as important, these developed skills provide the foundation for a child’s future success and welfare.

PROMOTE MOTOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT WITH BALANCE EQUIPMENT
Schools, parks and communities can nurture mental acuity and motor skill development by incorporating outdoor balance equipment into their playground space that engages children as young as two and up to 12 years of age. Balance playground equipment provides hours of fun, exciting challenges and imaginative play. Take a look at our suggested balance play equipment that nurtures childhood development:

Stepping stones

Don’t underestimate the simple design of stepping stones. These circular pebble platforms challenge kids to jump, teach them coordination and compel them to carefully consider their steps and footing. When used together, stepping stones can create a fun and exciting path for children to traverse with varying heights that make playtime even more stimulating. 

The flat, circular tops feature a high-traction surface to prevent slipping and come in a range of vibrant colors to keep kids interested and help them focus exactly where to place their feet. The individual stepping stones enable you to create any design path you want, with the ability to space them out to accommodate different age groups and skill sets.

Balance beams and boards

Balance beams and boards let children’s imaginations run wild as they build their core and boost their confidence. They can pretend they’re crossing a plank over a raging river, performing a highwire act at the circus, or competing as an Olympic gymnast. Mounted only 12 inches from the ground, balance beams provide a safe and creative way to have fun. 

Balance beams come in differing lengths as well as zig-zag designs to elevate the challenge. If you want to add another element of excitement to your playground, incorporate movement with balance spring riders. The Surf Rider, for instance, integrates slight movement to give children the feeling of riding the waves. Handles ensure a safe way to have fun while hanging 10. Spring riders encourage social play when grouped in pairs or triplets. 

Balance tracks
To encourage socialization, balance tracks feature an elevated and wavy walking surface where multiple children can traverse at the same time. The space separating the track sections builds spatial awareness, while the wavy surface pattern promotes balance and mobility. 

Balance tracks are safe and fun for ages two to 12 because they feature handrails, a sturdy perforated steel deck, and are built low to the ground so even toddlers will feel comfortable on them. They come in an open-ended snake design or an oval shape that emulates a racetrack. 

GIVE CHILDREN THE BENEFITS OF BALANCE
Attract more children to your playground area while helping to build their motor skills with outdoor balance equipment. Colorful, interactive, and built-to-last, balance playground equipment provides a fun and educational way for kids to stay active. Check out our selection of balance-designed playground equipment to enhance your outdoor play area and talk to one of our sales consultants to find the best fit for your space. They’ll explain the color, size and design options, the optimal space needed, and installation requirements to make your equipment purchase and setup a breeze!