Standing on one leg, hopping, catching yourself when you wobble: simple skills, but an important part of growing up. We talked to Anja Talboys, a non-medical practitioner (Heilpraktikerin) from Adenau, who uses the SlackBoard in her kids' courses.

Meet Anja

Anja works with children and parents alike. She runs two course groups: preschoolers aged 4 to 6 and primary school children aged 6 to 10. Each block has ten weekly one-hour sessions, and in her rural region they filled up quickly.

"For kids, it's a toy first"

That matters: research shows motivation plays a big role in whether balance training works for young children. After a few sessions, kids invent their own games, like throwing a ball to each other while balancing.

What balance training does

On the SlackBoard, children stand on a slackline about 5 cm wide that never stays completely still. "It's like life," Anja says. "You keep facing new situations and have to adapt."

A review of 17 studies found that balance training clearly improves balance in children and teenagers. The gains show up most in what kids actually practice.

Kids move less than they used to

Anja notices that many children lack everyday movement experience. According to WHO data, 81% of 11- to 17-year-olds worldwide don't get the recommended hour of activity per day. Before school starts, the public health office checks motor skills, such as hopping on one leg. Studies also link better motor skills with better school performance, though a direct effect on grades isn't proven.

Finding the center: 5 cm of focus

"The center is only five centimeters wide, and you have to put your own center on it," says our colleague Caro. The board gives constant feedback, so there's little room to think about anything else.

Anja uses this at home: when a child's mood is about to tip, she suggests standing on the board and focusing only on balance. In her experience, kids calm down. There are no studies on this exact situation, so think of it as a simple parent tip, not a treatment.

A moment that stuck

Anja remembers a boy who had often heard that he couldn't do things. On the board, he kept his focus and his balance. "Mama, look!" he called, and mother and son both had tears in their eyes. Parents who join in often find out it isn't as easy as it looks.

Anja's tip for parents

"Life is allowed to be easy. Even when small challenges come up, there is always a way through." And the SlackBoard in one sentence? "A well-rounded thing. I can reach every child with it."