Balance boards can help kids develop core strength, and increase coordination and stabilization. According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, stabilization and coordination in the hips, abdomen and back can help kids avoid injuries during other conditioning and strength building activities. Balancing activities also help develop proprioception, which helps kids detect how to position the body in space and how to respond to unexpected changes in force.
Warm Up
Warming up helps reduce stiffness in the muscles. Do not let kids use a balance board without warming up for 10 minutes prior to using the board. Warming up may include activities like jogging, jumping jacks or jogging in place.
Spotting
Spot or provide a skilled spotter for a kid who is learning how to balance on a balance board. Spot by standing in front of the child and holding his hands or torso. Spotters must be strong enough to stabilize the kid's weight. Let the learner focus and do not verbally encourage a kid while spotting him.
Surface
Bare surfaces like cement or tile reduce the stability of a balance board and the risk of falling increases. Provide flat a carpeted surface or throw down some towels for a kid using a balance board.
Gear
Falling may be inevitable for kids using a balance board. Safety gear can protect a kid from injury while using the board. Wrist guards protect a child from injuring her wrist upon falling. A hockey helmet or goalie mask that protects the nose may provide the best head protection. Knee and elbow pads can also help protect a kid from injury when falling and landing on these parts of the body. Kids should wear loose clothing while using the balance board.
Environment
Provide a clear environment for a child using a balance board. Ensure there are no objects on the floor near the board that he may fall on. He may lose balance by applying unequal weight that launches the board into the air or several feet away. Ensure there are no people, delicate items or surfaces that the balance board can hit if it slips out from under a rider.
Form
Stress proper form to kids use to use balance boards. Instruct kids to keep both hands in front of the body, palms down and feet parallel to each other. Kids should keep the body in alignment while using a balance board by keeping the neck in a vertical position.
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