Heel Raises (Fig. 9)
Lifting and lowering the heels is a strength-training exercise even the youngest children can do. It also helps with balance.

• Stand facing your child.

• Hold hands.

• Slowly lift and lower your heels, encouraging your child to do the same thing at the same time.

Also:

• Pause each time you rise onto tiptoe, counting aloud to five.

• Instead of just raising your heels, you and your child can jump (two feet) or hop (one foot) lightly in place.

• Try all of these activities both slowly and quickly.

Beanbag Balance (Fig. 10)
When it comes to balancing activities, this is an all-time favorite for children.

• Place a beanbag or a small, soft toy on your child's head.

• Invite her to walk from one point in the room to another without dropping the beanbag.

• If she has to, she can hold on to it at first.

Also:

• Ask her to balance the beanbag as she walks both slowly and quickly, in different directions (forward, backward, or sideward), and in different pathways (straight, curving, and zigzagging).

• Invite her to try balancing the beanbag on other body parts, like a hand, shoulder, or elbow.