BALANCE BOARD FOR KIDS: EXPERIENCES FROM DAYCARE
Balance board for kids in everyday daycare life
Balance boards bring movement and playful balancing into children’s everyday lives. But how does this work in practice – and how do children use a balance board when they are free to decide what to do with it?
That’s exactly what everyday life at Kindertraum-Haus in Meilen shows. THE MINI KIDS is used at all three daycare locations and is part of free play. In our interview, the daycare team shares how the children use the board, what play ideas emerge and what experiences they have made with it.
THE MINI KIDS was developed specifically for children from the age of 2. The fixed half-moon cork roller provides controlled movement, while the cork dampers protect the floor and prevent fingers or feet from getting trapped underneath the board.
How do the children react to THE MINI KIDS in everyday life?
The children keep coming back to the balance board on their own. They are curious, try it out and quickly get the hang of it. While playing and practising at daycare, they help each other – and have lots of fun along the way.
What developments do you observe – physically, socially or cognitively?
We observe that the children help each other while playing and explore together how they can balance on the board. Over time, many become more confident using the board and start trying out new movements independently.
From what age do you use the board – and which groups enjoy it most?
At our daycare, we use the balance board from the toddler group onwards – from around the age of 2. Children usually have a lot of fun with it from around age 3, when they are more confident in their movements. The board is particularly popular with the older children in the pre-kindergarten group and after-school care.
THE MINI KIDS can therefore be used across different age groups – from first attempts at balancing to creative movement and play.
Discover THE MINI KIDS with cork mat as a set
What does the daycare team particularly appreciate about the board in everyday group life?
The balance board is easy and flexible to integrate into everyday daycare life – it takes up very little space and is always ready to use.
Especially during more restless moments, we observe that some children enjoy using the board and consciously focus on balancing. The controlled movement gives them another way to combine movement with quieter moments during the daycare day.
Would you also recommend THE MINI KIDS for use at home?
Yes, definitely – especially for a child’s room. It is important to accompany children at the beginning so that they can learn how to use the board safely and practise balancing at their own pace. Depending on their age and stage of development, they can then also use it independently.
At home, the board also gives children a playful way to explore balancing, move around and develop their own play ideas.
How does the board support your approach to movement and free play?
At our daycare, movement and free play are central parts of our educational approach. Throughout the day, children have opportunities to move – from songs with movements during morning circle time to daily outdoor activities and our “Gumpizimmer”. We place great importance on finding a good balance between active phases and quieter moments.
THE MINI KIDS complements this approach in a playful way. Children can balance independently, try out different movements and integrate the board into their own play ideas.
Does the board also work in modern family homes with limited space?
Absolutely. THE MINI KIDS takes up very little space and is easy to store – for example in the included cotton bag or on the matching stand. This makes it suitable for smaller homes too, while keeping it within easy reach.
More than a toy: a movement impulse for every day
The experiences from everyday daycare life show how versatile THE MINI KIDS can be – whether for balancing together, free play or simply adding a little movement in between. New play ideas emerge again and again, while the children decide for themselves how they want to integrate the board into their day.
Did you know? THE MINI KIDS is also used in postpartum recovery training.
Read the experience report on postpartum recovery training
Whether as a way to bring more movement into everyday life at home or as an addition to an educational setting, THE MINI KIDS was developed specifically for children from the age of 2 and leaves plenty of room for playful balancing and their own ideas.
Discover THE MINI KIDS
Frequently asked questions about balance boards for kids
From what age is a balance board suitable for children?
This depends on the individual board and the child’s stage of development. THE MINI KIDS was developed specifically for children from the age of 2. At Kindertraum-Haus daycare, it is already used with the toddler group, while many children use it particularly actively from around age 3.
Does a balance board make sense for kids?
A balance board gives children a playful way to balance, move and develop their own play ideas. As the daycare experience shows, the board can be used both during free play and for shared movement activities.
What can children do with a balance board?
Children can stand and balance on it, shift their weight or try out different movements. Depending on their age, they often develop their own play ideas. Especially during free play, a balance board does not have to be used as a traditional training device.
What should you look for in a balance board for young children?
The board should be suitable for the child’s age and stage of development and allow for controlled movement. THE MINI KIDS uses a fixed half-moon cork roller. Additional cork dampers prevent fingers or feet from getting trapped underneath the board. Especially with younger children, adult supervision is recommended at the beginning.