Balance Beam Walk (Tape Line)

How to do it

You need: A roll of coloured tape, A clear floor space.

Stick a straight line of coloured tape about two to three metres long onto a clean, non-slip floor. Stand beside your child ready to offer a hand if needed.

1. Ask your child to stand at one end of the line with their arms out to the sides like an aeroplane.
2. Encourage your child to walk along the tape, trying to keep each foot on the line.
3. Walk alongside, offering a fingertip to hold only if your child wobbles.
4. At the far end, turn around and walk back along the line the other way.
5. When this is easy, try heel-to-toe steps, walking sideways along the line, or carrying a soft toy.

Form cues

• Your child looks ahead at the end of the line, not down at their feet.
• Steps are slow and placed with care, one foot roughly in front of the other.
• Arms come out to the sides to help with balance.

Common mistakes

• Rushing along the line so balance turns into a stumble.
• Holding your child's hand the whole way, which does the balancing for them - offer just a fingertip when needed.
• Setting the line on a rug or a polished floor that can slip.

Safety: Stop and message your child's physio if your child has increasing pain, a limp that does not settle, or is much more tired or unsettled than usual.