Why Preschoolers Need To Be Adept At Walking Backwards

Is your preschooler trying to walk backwards? Do you want to discover how your little one can benefit by learning to walk backwards? Let’s learn about the benefits of walking backwards for preschoolers.

Once your child masters walking in the forward direction, he will attempt to put his steps in the backward direction to try what is known as backward walking or retro walking. If you are wondering whether it is important for your little one to master the skill of walking backwards, read on to discover its multiple benefits.

These are the prominent advantages of kids being skilled at walking backwards

1. Improves Balance

Walking backwards is one of the crucial skills your preschooler should learn and master. Retro walking not only improves your child’s balance, it also helps protect him from falling backwards and getting injured. It sharpens balancing skills, particularly when your preschooler is about to fall backwards, and prevents the subsequent risks of head injury and other hazards. Finally, it enhances the functioning of your kid’s cerebellum which co-ordinates with his physical movements, improves balance, and increases flexibility.

2. Strengthens Muscles

Retro walking is a great way to improve your kid’s muscular strength, particularly that of his leg. The front and back muscles of your preschooler’s shin are strengthened when he practices backward walking. Also, walking backwards prevents the overuse of muscles and wear and tear of ligaments.

3. Sharpens Reflexes

Walking backwards is an effective activity to sharpen your preschooler’s reflexes. If your kid has weak reflexes, encourage him to walk backwards more often. To avoid any mishap, make sure you provide appropriate guidance and supervision.

4. Fine-tunes Senses

While walking backwards, your kid is not able to see where he is heading. So, your preschooler focuses on his other senses, such as hearing, to figure out whether he is safely moving backwards in the right direction. As your child counts on senses other than just forward vision, all his senses are bound to get in tune with each other. What’s more, it also sharpens your child’s sixth sense.

5. Regulates Weight

Backward walking tends to burn extra calories and keeps your preschooler’s weight in control. Your child tends to utilize 30% more energy than the energy he uses while walking forwards. Jogging or running backwards around 15 to 45 minutes for about 1.5 months can help reduce 2.5% of your child’s extra body fat and prevent him from becoming obese.

6. Promotes Blood Circulation

If your preschooler suffers from poor blood circulation, then practicing walking backwards regularly can substantially help improve blood circulation in his body. An improved blood circulation promotes improved functioning of various organs and ensures good health.

7. Prevents The Development Of Hunchback

Another significant benefit of walking backwards is that it helps prevent the development of hunchback as your kid grows. Backward walking promotes straight posture and helps your child to have a good stature.

Have you taught your preschooler to walk backwards yet? How did your child benefit by practicing backward walking? Share your experience with other moms by leaving a comment below.