Why anxiety and poor coordination are on the rise
Children need more active play.
There are increasing signs in early adolescence (KG - grade 6) of under-developed vestibular systems:
Falling out of chairs, play structures
Unusual clumsiness
Decreased strength
Under-developed balance systems
Sensory sensitivity (to touch, sounds)
Fidgety
Decreased attention in a classroom
Hitting with more force during games like tag; overly touchy with their friends
More easily frustrated; crying more easily; difficulty emotionally regulating.
What is the vestibular system?
It is the neurological system and sense that involves body awareness (proprioception) and the inner ear area, that is especially helpful for our sense of balance and coordination when the eyes are closed. Interestingly, as it develops in early childhood, it is strengthened by many physical movement patterns involved in play. It is also responsible for emotional regulation and mental arousal. It lays the foundation for learning and paying attention, and is important for safety skills in children, where they know where their body is in space when stepping off a curb, etc.
Why are we seeing poor balance in kids?
poor core strength
too much sitting
excessive screen time
being driven to school vs walking or biking
shortened recess times (kids need about 40-60 minutes of deep play to get their energy out, and to be able to self-regulate and go back into the indoor classroom).
Question: How do we nurture increased balance and coordination in children?
Answer: more movement!! Especially rapid movements (that seem a bit scary for parents!)
spinning games with eyes open and closed (tunes the vestibular system)
e.g. rolling down the hill; twirling; swing sets
e.g. hanging upside down on playground sets
dance, gymnastics, cross-lateral movements like cross-country skiing or rock climbing
support core strength (back and abdominals) to be able to sit self-supported without slouching
Proprioceptive work, including tug and pull movements
e.g. moving rocks; rolling large snowballs to make snowmen; climbing up/down hills, trees or play structures
Ideally, we want children to be in a calm state of mind. Nature and being outdoors provides this for us for free: calming colours, looking at the water, hearing the sounds of birds or waves or the wind. It also allows their brains to relax outside of the sounds of the city or the classroom with many other loud kids.
For more information, follow occupational therapist, Angela Hanscomb, developer of TimberNook nature programming, or read her book: Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children
In the Ottawa area, https://www.ontheball.ca/ provides kiddos with occupational and physiotherapy tools to practice new and varied movements in a safe space.
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