PERTH · FACE TO FACE AND ONLINE
Coordination, Balance and Clumsiness in Children
Poor balance and coordination can make a child seem clumsy: tripping over, bumping into things, or finding it hard to ride a bike or catch a ball. It is common, and it is not laziness or a lack of trying. Often the body is working much harder than it looks.
Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner · Brain Gym® Consultant · Qualified primary school teacher · Mum of three
I’m Michele, a Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner and Brain Gym® Consultant in Perth. This page explains what can sit underneath balance and coordination difficulties, and what helps.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
What it can look like at home and at school
Tripping, falling or bumping into furniture and other children
Finding gross motor skills hard to learn, like riding a bike, skipping, hopping or catching a ball
Avoiding sport, climbing or playground games
Poor posture or low muscle tone, and tiring quickly
Motion sickness
Hyper-mobile joints and weak muscles
Why some children find it hard
Balance, coordination and gross motor skills rely on the brain and body communicating well: knowing where the body is in space, keeping it steady, and using both sides together. There can be many reasons a child finds this hard, and often more than one.
In my work I often see balance and coordination difficulties alongside retained primitive reflexes, the automatic movements babies are born with. When a reflex has not fully integrated, the body keeps reacting automatically in situations where a child needs calm, controlled movement. That can make everyday things like sitting still, writing or catching a ball harder than they should be.
AT HOME
Simple things to try at home
- Plenty of time at the playground: climbing, swinging, hanging and balancing
- Crawling games, animal walks and obstacle courses
- Balance play: walking along a line or a low beam, or standing on one leg while brushing teeth
- Ball games at an easy level, starting with a big, soft ball or a balloon
- Swimming, and riding a scooter or balance bike
- Keep it fun and low pressure. Short and often works better than long practice sessions
When it is worth getting it checked
If your child is falling a lot, has lost skills they used to have, or their coordination is getting in the way of school and play, please check in with your GP or paediatrician. My work is movement based and sits alongside medical care, not instead of it.
WORKING WITH ME
How I can help
In an initial appointment I assess which primitive reflexes are still active, along with brain and body organisation and side dominance. We then work through simple, playful movements in weekly sessions, with “home play” in between. You can see the full process and prices on my services page.
Positive results are usually seen after 5 or 6 weeks, and sooner when the home play is done regularly.
QUESTIONS
Common questions
Will my child grow out of being clumsy?
Some children do, as their balance and coordination catch up. If it has been going on for a while, or it is affecting their confidence, it is worth looking into.
Is a clumsy child the same as dyspraxia?
Not necessarily. Dyspraxia is a diagnosis made by health professionals, and many children who seem clumsy do not have it. I work with the symptoms through movement, whether or not your child has a diagnosis.
Can my child see you alongside other professionals?
Yes. My work is movement based and looks at the whole brain and body connection, and many families see me alongside other professionals.
What age do you work with?
Children of all ages from 2.5 years, and preventative exercises for babies from birth up to 2.5 years.
Do you only see children in Perth?
I see children face to face in Perth and also offer online appointments.
Not sure where to start?
You are welcome to get in touch for a free phone chat about what you are noticing in your child.