- Definition
Dynamic balance is your child's ability to stay steady and in control of their body even when they are moving, like when they're running or jumping.
A basketball player uses dynamic balance to stay upright and in control while dribbling the ball quickly down the court.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Dynamic balance is like riding a skateboard, where you have to keep adjusting your body to stay steady while you are moving.
Ask your child: How do you use your arms to help you balance when you are walking on a narrow curb?
Common mix-up: Kids may think balance just means standing perfectly still. Dynamic balance is the active skill of staying steady while your body is in motion, like running or jumping.
Examples
- Riding a bicycle requires you to use dynamic balance to stay upright as you pedal.
- A gymnast walking gracefully across a balance beam is using dynamic balance.
dynamic balance is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
