What are some of the signs of balance or coordination problems in children?
Many children have difficulties with balance or coordination problems due to a wide variety of reasons. Some of the signs that parents might notice that may be indicative of a problem include:
- Your child falls easily or trips often, you might even describe their movements as ‘clumsy;
- Bumps into things or knocks things over easily;
- Finds it difficult to ‘recover’ quickly from being off balance;
- They may have an ‘awkward’ walking or running style, or move stiffly without natural flow;
- They might avoid sports or physical exercise, especially those involving running;
- They may be overly cautious or fearful of exploring playground equipment or walking on stairs (especially in a group);
- In some cases they might be a little slower in mastering developmental milestones or physical skills (eg: crawling, walking, bike riding, skipping, swimming, catching a ball).
What should I do if my child has problems with balance or coordination?
If you think your child has difficulties with their balance and you are concerned that their foot posture, gait or footwear may be a contributing factor, consult with our experienced Podiatrists for an assessment and professional advice.
