How to Train the Vestibular Apparatus in Children
How do you know if your child has a weak vestibular apparatus? It could be that they get sick when traveling, easily lose coordination and balance, especially on uneven surfaces, or have a fear of falling. Or they could be afraid of taking the elevator and cycling. If this sounds familiar, how can you help your child?
Dr. Tatjana
ENT doctor
Normal everyday training
The vestibular apparatus can and should be developed because success in many aspects of life and the development of the baby depend on it. Training does not require any special preparation.
Exercises and movements associated with swinging well help the development and adaptation of the vestibular apparatus. You can swing from side to side, front to back, on a fit ball, on a balance board, in a rocking chair, hammock, or on a wooden horse.
They are very useful both for the vestibular apparatus and for the spine. To do this, the child should lie on the floor face up, bring his or her knees to the chest and clasp them with his or her palms so that the body has the shape of a ball, and slowly sway back and forth.
Any physical activity is very useful—for example, playing "Twister," jumping rope, cycling, physical education with somersaults bends, swimming, swinging on swings and merry-go-rounds, and walking on the curb or on sofa cushions.
Particularly useful are torso and head rotations, head tilts forward and to the sides, running with a change in pace and sudden stops, and jumps with a turn of 45, 90, and 180 degrees. There are sets of exercises available both at home and with the use of special devices to normalize well-being.
What should you do if you get seasick in transport?
Travel sickness is more common in children than in adults. This is due to the immaturity of the children's vestibular apparatus, which generally develops with age. Children from two to ten years old suffer from motion sickness more than other ages, but in babies it is extremely rare. To facilitate the trip, you can follow some guidelines. For example, contrary to popular belief, make sure your child has eaten before the trip.
And: advise your child to look at fixed objects or in the windshield. Make sure that the car is not too hot and the child is not wearing tight clothes. You can use sour candy or peppermint gum for the child during the trip. There are special medications, including homeopathic ones, that help in such situations, but only a doctor can choose a specific remedy.
10 June 2021