Balance Training for Children with ADHD: Building Focus and Confidence

From the keynote by Michael Franz (founder of IX Perform, sports scientist and handball coach) at the GIBBON Days 2025. 

Michael Franz, father of three, has dedicated his career to helping children and adolescents develop focus and resilience through movement. With decades of experience in schools, clubs and therapy settings, he brings both scientific expertise and personal perspective to the question: How can balance training help children with ADHD?

He reminded the audience: “Children with ADHD don’t have less attention – they often have too much. The real task is helping them bundle it effectively.” His view is that balance training, especially with the GIBOARD, provides the perfect environment for this bundling process. He added: “The GIBOARD forces presence. You cannot balance without being in the moment.” These words capture why movement and concentration belong together.

A Common Challenge in Schools

Restlessness, daydreaming, difficulty concentrating – these are daily realities for many children in classrooms. Instead of seeing ADHD as a deficit, Franz reframes it: children are highly perceptive, often noticing far more than others. The challenge lies not in a lack of attention, but in channeling it.

The GIBOARD: Movement Meets Focus

Unlike traditional exercise equipment, the GIBOARD is simple, safe and instantly engaging. Compact enough for classrooms and homes, it invites children to step on and immediately experience their body in balance. Within seconds, distraction fades. The child is present, focused, and aware. Franz emphasized during his talk: “Every success on the board shows the child: I can control something, I can grow with challenges.”

Confidence Through Small Wins

Every second on the GIBOARD is feedback. Children feel progress as they stand longer, try new moves, and gain stability. These small victories build confidence and create motivation to keep going. From “I can’t” grows “I can.”

Relieving Stress Naturally

Many ADHD symptoms are amplified by chronic stress – from screen time, lack of sleep or constant performance pressure. Short GIBOARD sessions act like a reset: grounding, calming, and energizing children for what’s ahead. Teachers and parents alike notice the difference: more calm, more focus, more joy.

Practical for Everyday Life

The GIBOARD requires no setup, works in small spaces, and is safe even for younger children. Schools use it as an active break between lessons. Parents set it up in the living room for short focus resets during homework. Just ten minutes can make a noticeable difference.

A Success Story

In the GIBBON community, stories abound of children who turned restlessness into focus through balance training. One student, once disengaged in class, found enthusiasm and stability through the GIBOARD. Soon, his renewed confidence in movement translated into improved concentration at school.

The Health Perspective

From a health magazine’s view, the message is simple: balance training is not just fitness, it’s prevention. It nurtures concentration, reduces stress, strengthens body awareness and builds emotional resilience. The GIBOARD transforms playful activity into a holistic health practice for children.

Try It Today
Bring focus and balance into your child’s daily life. The GIBOARD from GIBBON is available now in our webshop, with special bundles for schools, families and therapy centers. Easy to set up, safe to use, and proven to inspire – the GIBOARD is your child’s first step to stronger focus and greater confidence.