You’ve watched your child take their first steps, learn to jump with both feet or wobble on a bike. These exciting moments go beyond milestones; they are the building blocks of your child’s development.
Balance and coordination help your child master movements like walking, running and climbing. But they also do so much more. These skills support physical health, confidence and even success in school.
In this article, you’ll learn why these skills are important, how they develop, what signs of delays to watch for and ways you can help your child strengthen them.
What are balance and coordination?
Balance is your child’s ability to stay steady, whether standing still, walking on uneven ground or jumping over a puddle. Coordination is how smoothly different parts of the body (like hands and eyes or arms and legs) work together, so movements are controlled and efficient.
Together, these skills form the backbone of motor development which includes:
- Gross motor skills: Large movements like running, climbing, jumping and kicking
- Fine motor skills: Small movements like writing, drawing, cutting or using utensils
“Balance and coordination help children master movements like walking, running and climbing,” said Ismaeel Bakhsh, MD, a pediatrician with Banner Health. “Mastering these skills also boosts confidence and self-esteem, as children feel more capable in physical activities like sports or play. They also reduce the risk of falls and accidents.”
How motor skills support physical health
Children build stronger, healthier bodies when they move regularly.
“Gross motor skills like running, climbing and kicking strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health,” Dr. Bakhsh said. “They also reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues.”
As your child practices movement, they build endurance, posture and flexibility. That not only supports daily activities but also lowers their chances of injury. Strong core muscles, good posture and stability all start with balance.
Even simple play, like walking along a line, tossing a ball or climbing a low slide, helps build the body’s foundation for health and endurance.
Learn more about ways you can help your child get their daily physical activity.
Confidence, social skills and emotional growth
Balance and coordination also shape a child’s emotional and social growth. Every success, from standing on one foot to hopping across the playground, strengthens a child’s self-confidence.
“Children with strong motor skills can join group activities like sports, dance or playground games, which are key for building friendships and social bonds,” Dr. Bakhsh said. “Furthermore, it builds confidence.”
On the other hand, when a child has trouble with coordination, even simple activities can seem discouraging. They might withdraw or hesitate to join others in play. Encouraging regular movement and praising small successes helps your child feel capable and proud of their body, which benefits their social interactions and their willingness to try new things.
How movement affects learning
When children work on balance and coordination, they strengthen parts of the brain that handle planning, focus, memory and problem solving.
“Fine motor skills, like cutting, writing, drawing and using tools like pencils or scissors, support classroom success as well,” Dr. Bakhsh said.
When kids develop these skills, they can focus more on learning instead of struggling to control their hands or body. Physical coordination also supports reading and math, skills that rely on tracking movement, timing and focus.
How your child’s balance and coordination develop over time
Motor skills growth doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a steady process that begins at birth and continues through school age. Dr. Bakhsh describes it as a spectrum.
- Birth to 6 months: Babies lift their heads during tummy time. “This shows early neck control, which is a foundation for balance,” Dr. Bakhsh said.
- Toddlerhood (1 to 2 years): Children walk independently and improve balance.
- Ages 2 to 3: They begin running, jumping with both feet and climbing without help, which are signs of growing coordination.
- Preschool (3 to 4 years): Kids balance on one foot for a few seconds, walk along a line or ride a tricycle.
- Ages 4 to 5: Hopping and skipping begin as motor skills become more refined.
- School age (7 to 8): Children engage in sports that require dynamic balance, such as soccer, gymnastics or basketball.
Every stage builds on the one before it and practice keeps those pathways strong.
Learn more about developmental milestones from birth to age 5.
Signs of balance and coordination delays
All children develop at their own pace but sometimes delays can signal the need for extra support.
Some common signs that your child may be struggling include:
- Frequent falling, stumbling or tripping
- Clumsiness or awkward movements
- Difficulty balancing on a single foot
- Challenges with basic motor skills like kicking a ball, jumping or skipping
- Difficulty with activities like riding a bike, climbing stairs or catching a ball
- Difficulty sitting upright, including slouching or poor posture
- Unusual walking, such as toe walking
- Poor handwriting or uneven grip on a pencil
- Difficulty with activities like coloring, cutting and writing
“It’s important to coordinate all these findings with the advice of your child’s health care provider as development generally varies from child to child,” Dr. Bakhsh said. “Early evaluations can help ensure your child is on track and provide support if needed.”
Pediatric physical therapists and occupational therapists can also help children strengthen balance, improve coordination and catch up on developmental milestones through guided play and targeted exercises.
How you can encourage balance and coordination
You don’t need special equipment or formal classes to help your child grow these skills. Daily activities and playful challenges can go a long way. Dr. Bakhsh recommends making movement fun, adapting to skill level and gradually increasing difficulty.
For infants (0-6 months)
- Tummy time while awake strengthens neck and core muscles
- Always place babies on their backs to sleep safely
For toddlers (1-3 years)
- Walking along taped lines or cushions
- Rolling, tossing or kicking soft balls
- Simple obstacle courses using pillows or furniture
- Dancing or clapping to music
For preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Hopscotch, jumping or skipping
- Riding a tricycle or scooter
- Animal walks like bear crawls or frog jumps
- Games like Simon Says or Follow the Leader
For school-age children (6-10 years)
- Jump rope, soccer, basketball, swimming
- Bike riding
- Crafts, building or writing tasks that develop fine motor skills
Bottom line
Balance and coordination are more than just physical skills. They shape confidence, support learning and keep kids safe. They allow children to explore their world, participate in activities with peers and tackle challenges with courage.
Encourage playful movement, provide safe challenges, cheer on efforts and integrate motor skill practice into everyday life. Your child doesn’t need to be an athlete to benefit. These skills matter for everyone since they can carry into the teen years and adulthood.
If you have questions about your child’s developmental skills (what’s typical and what’s not), talk to their provider or a Banner Health pediatric specialist. Together, you can find the right resources and support.
