Early Years Balance Lesson Plan

Child Obesity is an ever-increasing issue in the UK and can lead to serious implications for a child’s development and their long-term health. The National Child Measurement Programme is a government lead initiative which measures and analyses the BMI classification rates by sex, age, ethnicity, and geography, of children from England’s state-maintained schools.

The report recurrently shows that year on year obesity in children has been and is still on the rise. Reception years obesity levels in 2019 were at 10% (boys) and Year 6 at 20.2% (boys). This disparity clearly shows there is an opportunity to control the risk of obesity through a child’s Primary school years. With children required to be in education for an average of six hours a day, five days a week, schools are in one of the strongest positions to help enforce measures that will help reduce this risk and the health issues that are associated with obesity. A balanced and nutritious diet is vital to tackling the problem but just as important is ensuring children sustain regular daily exercise. PE lessons are the perfect opportunity to help every child towards achieving the governments advisory 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Exercise has positive effects on wellbeing and mental health in children of all ages and varying physical exertion levels.

The simple art of Balancing also has positive effects and is an excellent activity to stretch and control both the body and mind in school. Perfect for early years groups, these easily achievable movements encourages perseverance and a sense of achievement

Physical play

Physical play and exercise can help children build physical growth and strength. Play using equipment can be especially useful in helping children develop fine motor skills, balance, and coordination.

What Are Balance and Coordination?

Balance refers to the ability to keep a controlled position or posture during a specific task. Walking, hopping, or even sitting all require balance. There are two types of balance. Dynamic balance refers to the ability to stay in position during activities that require movement, such as walking. Static balance refers to the ability to maintain position during stationary tasks such as standing or sitting.

Involving complex neurological activity, coordination refers to the ability to correctly interpret multiple signals to do more complex physical tasks. Hand-eye coordination requires a child to correctly interpret visual information in a way that allows them to throw and catch a ball.

What Are Fine Motor Skills?

Motor skills can be divided into two categories: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills refer to skills that include many large muscle groups and the whole body. They include skills needed to climb, walk and jump. Children need to develop these skills before mastering fine motor skills.

Why Are Balance, Coordination, and Fine Motor Skills Important?

Fine motor skills, coordination, and balance are essential for child development. The development of these skills can help with day-to-day activities, such as walking, playing and learning. Children who master coordination and balance can climb and walk confidently. Fine motor skills allow children to pick up a book, feed themselves, tie their shoelaces and perform many of the other small tasks which slowly make them more confident and independent.

Developing Balance, Co-ordination and Motor Skills through PE

If you are considering teaching balance to your students, Maudesport thought we would list some great products to help put your lessons together…