Balance supports all movement skills and influences how they are gained and refined over a lifetime. It is an essential life skill that informs who and where we are as our relationship to gravity emerges and evolves. The vestibular system (situated in the inner ear) is primarily responsible for balance and takes around seven years to mature fully. It also needs continual refreshing through varied movement experience to achieve optimum functionality. This system is a central reference point for all other senses and lays the foundation for physical and emotional safety and security.
Development
From birth onwards, becoming more physically balanced and managing gravity with ease requires particular movement experiences that stimulate the vestibular system. Babies will move their heads from side to side and lift them up when lying on the floor – their heads also tip and tilt when being carried, during changing times and when rocked, swung or rolled.
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