GM.B.118 WALKS A 10 CM ELEVATED BALANCE BEAM WITH SOME HELP

To pass this skill, your child will need to have a normal gait. No longer will she waddle from side to side on a wide base. The width of her feet apart while walking will be narrower or the same as the width between her shoulders.

How to Assess

Materials: A board 10 cm wide and 3 metres long. Bricks or blocks to elevate the board.

Method: Elevate the board slightly on bricks or blocks, to discourage your child from stepping off.

Place your child at one end of the board and ask her to walk to the other end, or demonstrate.

You may walk behind your child with a hand holding her clothing at her shoulders to steady and reassure her. Do not hold her hands. Score plus if your child walks the length of the board, with no more help than described above. Do not score plus if your hand, rather than her balance skills, is keeping your child on the board.

How to Teach

Teach in the same way as GM.B.98 (walks a 20 cm board)

Progress very slowly; it may take time for your child to develop confidence on this narrow board.

Make a game of board walking and practise other balance skills (standing on one leg, walking on tiptoes and so on) at the same time.