How to do it
You need: A roll of coloured tape, A clear floor space.
Stick a straight line of coloured tape about two to three metres long onto a clean, non-slip floor. Stand beside your child ready to offer a hand if needed.
- Ask your child to stand at one end of the line with their arms out to the sides like an aeroplane.
- Encourage your child to walk along the tape, trying to keep each foot on the line.
- Walk alongside, offering a fingertip to hold only if your child wobbles.
- At the far end, turn around and walk back along the line the other way.
- When this is easy, try heel-to-toe steps, walking sideways along the line, or carrying a soft toy.
Form cues
- Your child looks ahead at the end of the line, not down at their feet.
- Steps are slow and placed with care, one foot roughly in front of the other.
- Arms come out to the sides to help with balance.
Common mistakes
- Rushing along the line so balance turns into a stumble.
- Holding your child's hand the whole way, which does the balancing for them - offer just a fingertip when needed.
- Setting the line on a rug or a polished floor that can slip.
Safety: Stop and message your child's physio if your child has increasing pain, a limp that does not settle, or is much more tired or unsettled than usual.