RB Gym and Sport offer an AFPE approved programme ‘Balance-ability’ for schools to promote the physical benefits of cycling for young children as well as providing a fun and engaging activity.
For children, schools provide the most accessible, and sometimes only opportunity for regular, structured play, physical education, physical activity, and sports. Not only does Balance-ability teach children how to ride without stabilisers, but also teaches balance, gross motor skills, core stability and of course, having fun through physical activity.
Schools have a range of objectives in promoting cycling, such as:
Demonstrate height and control of the body whilst you combine a variety of gymnastics jumps together across a 10-metre-long trampoline
Feel what it’s like to fly as you explore a range of jump, turns and seat drops on the trampoline.
Circle forward on the bar, use your strength to hold shapes and swing forwards and backwards on the A-Symmetrical bars.
Walk tall on tip toes 4 foot off the floor, in a variety of directions, perform ½ and 1/1 turns and stay as still as a statue as we test your 1 footed balance’s.
Perfect your forward roll across the floor and perform it from a jump onto high equipment.
Unleash your power as you run, hurdle step and squat on to various vaulting equipment.
The Balance-Ability programme is specifically designed for Nursery, Reception and Year 1 pupils. The course is made up of 12 weekly sessions, 6 sessions for level 1 and 6 sessions for level 2. You can also have the programme for a whole year using it as an intervention to support least active children.
When delivering in school, the maximum group size for each session is 10 pupils. Each session is advised to last between 35-45 minutes. If opting for a 1/2 day of Balance-Ability (morning or afternoon) then this would allow you to do 3 sessions and complete the programme with one whole class of 30. If opting for a whole day, then this would allow for a total of 6 sessions to be completed - 2 whole classes of 30.
The course is usually delivered within the school hall, however during the summer months, can be delivered outside on the playground.
Within Level 1, fundamental movement patterns, gross motor skills and dynamic balance are incorporated along with an introduction to the balance bike. Children learn how to pick up, manoeuvre, mount and dismount their bikes and how to ride a balance bike safely. Level 1 aims to build confidence in the ability to glide on a balance bike and how to stop in a controlled manner.
Level 2 continues the development of gross motor skills, dynamic balance and co-ordination and progresses to advanced balance-ability. The main goal is to improve the child's gliding, stopping, braking, and turning skills, enabling them to ride solo on a pedal bike safely and with confidence by the end of the program.
Embedding physical activity into the school day through active travel to and from school, active break times and active lessons and teaching.
Develop or add to the PE, Physical Activity and Sport that your school provides.
Providing targeted activities or support to involve and encourage the least active children.
An accredited RB Gym and Sport Balance-ability Instructor
Balance-ability bikes and pedal bikes
Balance and co-ordination training aids
Road awareness signs and course cones
Visual activity cards
Keeping the next generation of learners healthy, active and engaged.
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