Balancing To Music

Play music and encourage your child to walk on a balance beam or tape line to the music, holding arms out as needed. This activity can be done inside or outside to give your children space to explore balancing.

Materials:

• Something to play music
• Balance Beam or something to create a straight line (tape, chalk, etc)

Age-appropriate Adaptations:

• Two-year-olds—Have your child use their hands to hold onto a wall, shelf, or hand as they try to balance.
• Three-year-olds—If your child can balance on a longer balance beam or tape line without holding onto something then alternate between fast and slow songs and have students try to match their marching movements to the tempo of the music playing.
• Four-/Five-year-olds—Task your child to create their own balance beam using tape. They can create zig-zag lines, shapes, lines they can jump or letters. Try playing a game that calls out different movements while balancing, like standing on one foot, take a big step, tip toe, turn around, jump and etc.

Skills Supported: gross motor development, encourages movement with balance, control and coordination