Koala Balance

  • Strengthens abdominals
  • Improves upright posture and body control
  • Provides deep pressure proprioceptive input to muscles/joints, which can assist children to achieve and maintain a ‘calm, alert’ state, ready for learning

 

HANDOUT
PRACTISE JOURNAL
TECHNIQUE VIDEO

Uses

  • Use this just before learning activities seated on the floor (e.g. ‘floor time’ activities, puzzles, building).
  • This exercise supports optimal emotional regulation, attention and concentration.

Instructions

  1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and arms crossed on your chest
  2. Scoop your tummy in (squeeze your tummy muscles)
  3. Rock back to balance on your bottom
  4. Lift your feet, so your shins are parallel with the floor
  5. Balance on your bottom as long as you can
child_koala_balance_1_1

Watch Points

  • Tummy scooped in (tummy muscles squeezed)
  • Shoulders relaxed and arms crossed on chest
  • If your lower back hurts, rest then try again (focusing on squeezing your tummy)

Do the Koala Balance with your feet closer to the floor or only one foot lifted.

Seated:

  • Sit in a sturdy chair (with the chair back against the wall to be extra safe). Wriggle forward in your chair and raise your arms straight up beside your ears.  Scoop your tummy in and lean slightly back to engage your tummy muscles (without touching the back of the chair). Lift one foot off the floor also if possible.  Hold for as long as you can.

Progress Tracker

For how long can you hold the Koala Balance?