Lecture
Notes and Random Activities: *When
children are first learning new Balance Beam activities, they look at their feet
while walking. As they master the task, they are then able to look straight
ahead. *An early objective
for walking the Balance Beam should be that the child can walk the entire length
forward and backward without stepping off. *Encourage
children to use both arms for maintaining their balance. *In
case you didn't know, some Balance Beams are made so that you can begin children
out on the 4" side then increase the difficulty by using the 2" side.
*Balance Beam Alternative
(also known as Walking Board): Lay a 2x4" board across two tires lying flat on
the ground. The board can be raised higher when the children are developmentally
ready. *A Balance Beam
is not the same thing as a Balance Board.
A Balance Beam is a board that children move across. A Balance Board has
a square surface with a rocking bottom. It tilts from side to side as individual
children do balancing activities on it. Balance Boards
must be placed on a non-skid surface or have non-skid tape strips on the bottom
for traction. ------------------
Reminder
from Stormie: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom
ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you
can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here
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GROSS
MOTOR FOCUS: Balance Beam Activities 