The vestibular system provides the leading contribution to the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance.  It is located in the inner ear.  It sends signals to the neural structures that keep us upright.  The brain uses this information to understand the body’s dynamics and kinematics from movement to movement.

Mexican Standing Drop

Parent/carer lifts themselves forward and up on to their knees, lifting their toddler in the air holding them around the chest. Hold the position for a couple of seconds at the top before all together bringing them back down as parent/carer sits back on their legs again. Benefits: Helps vestibular system, great for body awareness and confidence.

Cautions: If toddler is upset continue this with toddler facing towards parent until they become used to it.  Always maintain safety first; good safe grip around toddler when lifting.

Rocking Chair

Parent sits with toddler standing in between their legs facing them, support is put around the chest area.  Counting 1, 2, 3 parent lifts toddler and falls back to lie on their back. Parent brings the toddler to give them a kiss and then uses the toddler’s weight to sit back up to the starting position.  Can be strenuous on core and coccyx for parents.  Use a cushion under parents head or back.

See Saw

Sitting with toddler facing parent and feet touching, lean forward and take their hands. Gently push and pull to come forward and backward.