16) Bean Bag or Ball Tosses

Pair motor actions with learning. Use bean bags or balls with letters, numbers or words
to help with hand-eye coordination.

Toss up in the air and catch to recite what’s on the bag or ball. Or use during partner
pair ups.

17) Bounce a Ball, Catch and Spell or Move

Use a tennis ball, bounce, catch and sequence spelling words one letter at a time (with
each bounce and catch.)

Practice directional words by stepping in various directions (forward, back, right, left)
after catching the moving ball. These can be verbalized from a partner or written on a
poster on the wall.

These 17 common activities can really help your younger and older children improve
movement processing, balance and visual skills.

If some of your students need more support with balance, they may need more postural
and core activities. A strong core is needed to help with balance. Check out 40 Core
Exercises for Kids for additional activities (and a free printable.) Several exercises listed
above also suggest adding crossing the midline of the body with the arms. Click this link
for more midline crossing activities that help the two sides of the brain communicate
together.

Tips When Trying the Movement & Balance Activities

As an occupational therapist, I often work with kids with vestibular difficulties and
problems with visual processing skills. The activities shared in this post are basic
activities that can be used with all kids.

However, with any physical exercises, caution should be taken for each individual
student. Firstly, and obviously, make sure kids are being safe when practicing the
activities.

When performing the exercises, make sure you have enough room around each child.

Check for objects on the floor that could cause one to slip. Make sure furniture or
objects are far enough away in case of a loss of balance.

Emphasize a rule that all children must use good motor control. I tend to have to
frequently emphasize “be in control of your body” to large groups.

Start with easier activities and gradually add the challenges when the kids are ready.

Finally, as stated in the disclaimer, the activities listed in this post are informational, not
therapeutic. See the full disclaimer for more information.