Balance Test Results Sheet

This article provides you with the balance test results sheet after completing balance tests for a child. Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic center. As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. If you seek a diagnosis or treatment for your child or student, please contact a trained professional who can provide an evaluation of the child.

Working on balance skills are some of the most important when preparing a child for learning readiness. If you suspect your child or students have delays in balance, a few simple balance tests can determine if there are any breakdowns for the child’s age, level and ability.

Balance can be directly related to a child’s attention and focus and their ability to concentrate, listen and follow tasks at home and in the classroom.

In this article, you will find a free test result sheet for measuring the results of the balance tests to get an overall idea of what level the child or student is at based on the results of each test.

This test result sheet gives parents and therapists an overview of any gaps you may see in balance and coordination. After completing the tests and test result sheet, use your findings to help kids in your therapy sessions or contact a therapist for a formal evaluation. The Balance Test Result Sheet is not a replacement for an official evaluation by an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Pediatric Therapist (PT). It merely gives you a glance at the child’s ability to perform balance activities through balance practice.

The Balance Test Results Sheet

The balance tests and test results are meant specifically for children ages three and older. Teenagers and adults can perform the same tests if needed.

To compete the Balance Test Results Sheet, have the child complete the Balance Tests on our website while closely monitoring the child. As the child performs the tests, watch the child’s body movements, body placement, posture and overall ability. Take it slow and do not rush the exercises.

After the child performs each test, mark the number that is most closely associated with the child’s ability (0 being the most difficult and 4 being able to perform the test perfectly). The highest score a child may achieve with all six tests is a total of 24 points.

*Important: Children four years and younger may have trouble completing balance tests because they are still developing their balance system. Wobbling and tipping are very normal for this age group. Any child five years and older should be able to complete the tests with little to no struggle because their balance system is mostly developed by this age. If older children have trouble completing the tests, balance exercises may be needed.

The Balance Test Results

If you haven’t already, count up all the yes responses you had and get your total number.

Test #1: Sitting to Standing / Standing to Sitting (0 to 4 points)

If your child or students show extreme difficulty (0 to 1 point) when performing this test, you may find they cannot stand up from the chair or sit down without your help or the help of some type of support. The child will most likely use their hands or arms to try and help them in and out of the chair. You may even find the child collapsing or falling in the chair as they struggle to sit or stand.

Kids with moderate performance (2 to 3 points) can stand and sit in the chair, but with some difficulty. You may find the child trying to use the dominant side of their body to support their weight as they stand and sit. Kids may tip on the chair or wobble as they try to regain balance or almost fall backward as they sit or stand.  

If the child performs the exercise with no difficulty (4 points), they will stand and sit easily with no support needed at all. The child will not wobble, tilt or move irregularly. The movement will be fluid and automatic without thought or consideration.

Test #2: Standing with Eyes Closed (0 to 4 points)

A child who has trouble balancing with their eyes closed (0 to 1 point) will immediately fall or tip over as soon as they close their eyes. The child may not even be able to close their eyes for fear of falling over.

Children who perform the test moderately (2 to 3 points) will be able to do the exercise with their eyes closed, but they may wobble or sway from side to side while trying to maintain their balance.

When a child performs the test perfectly (4 points), they can close their eyes and balance with no movement. The child will stand upright having good posture and neck placement without signs of wobbling, swaying or tipping.

 Test #3: Tiling Head (Forward and Backward) (0 to 4 points)

Kids who have a very difficult time performing this test (0 to 1 point) won’t be able to tilt their head forward easily or they may be resistant to tipping their head at all. The child will often lean forward, take a step to support their body or they may bring their head back up to prevent them from falling forward. When tipping their head backward, the child will show even more trouble as they may fall backward or place a foot behind them for support.

If the child shows signs of moderate balance for this test (2 to 3 points), they can tip their head both forward and backward, but they will most likely wobble, tilt or sway to regain their balance. You may notice strain in the child as they work really hard to concentrate to keep their body balanced.

Children who perform this exercise well (4 points) won’t have trouble tipping their head forward or backward. They will maintain their posture and keep their body upright as they tip their head in either direction.

Test #4: Toe Tapping (Forward and Backward) (0 to 4 points)

Children who struggle with this test (0 to 1 point) may not be able to put their foot in front of them at all without tipping or falling over. If they struggle with balance, the child will want to immediately bring their foot back to a standing position for support. They will most likely not be able to pick their foot off the ground.

If the child performs the exercise moderately (2 to 3 points), they will be able to put their foot out in front of their body and hold for three seconds with minor wobbling and tilting. The child will be able to bring their foot slightly off the ground, but may wobble or tip to try and regain their balance. They have fairly good posture and will look at a point in front of them for a few seconds, but may drop their head to look at their feet for more balance.

Children who perform this exercise perfectly (4 points) can tap their foot in front and behind their body while maintaining their posture and eye contact on a point in front of them. When they lift their leg, there will be little to no wobbling and they may be able to lift it higher off the ground. The child can stand upright and hold the position for at least three seconds.

Test #5: One Foot Balance (0 to 4 points)

This test may be one of the most difficult depending on the child’s level. A child who shows a great amount of difficulty with this test (0 to 1 point) will not be able to lift their knee upward and balance on one foot. The child will fall over or immediately put their foot down to catch themselves before they fall. Kids may show better balance with their more dominant leg, but will still struggle to lift and balance.

Children with moderate balance (2 to 3 points) can lift their leg, but may hunch their back over and will wobble. They will show signs of struggling to maintain their balance and cannot keep their head focused on a point in front of them.

If this test is performed well (4 points), the child can lift their knee upward and will hold it without wobbling or tipping for three seconds. Kids performing the exercise will maintain their posture and will focus on a point in front of them without tilting or putting their foot back down on the ground. Their balance is strong on both the dominant and less dominate leg.

Test #6: Pick an Object from the Floor (0 to 4 points)

When children struggle with this balance test (0 to 1 point), they will most likely fall over as they reach down to pick up the object. The child will show great difficulty in balancing as they bend over and may not make it to the object before needing support from another foot or hand before they can pick it up off the ground.

Children with moderate balance skills (2 to 3 points) can bend over with some wobbling, but they can pick up the object without falling forward. The child may arch their back or pick up the object more slowly than other children as they focus to pick up the object.

Kids who are able to balance well during the test (4 points) can bend over and pick up the object without signs of wobbling or falling over. The movement will be automatic and the child won’t need to think or work hard to perform the test.

Test Results

After the child has performed each test, total the points. A child who has 12 points or less may need some additional help with balance activities. If this is your child or students, take a deep breath and don’t panic.

There are many layers to balance and the good news is you can improve these areas of development overtime. Even in extreme cases, you can work with the child to strengthen areas that need work for better learning and growth.

If you would like a printable copy of the test results so you can track the results and show them to parents or a spouse, fill out the form below. I’ll send the results breakdown for you to keep!

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Integrated Learning Strategies is a Utah-based center dedicated to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success. Our services provide kids with non-traditional tutoring programs within the Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Syracuse, Farmington, and Centerville areas. Areas to find Integrated Learning Strategies include: Reading tutors in Kaysville, Math tutors in Kaysville, Common Core Tutors in Kaysville, Tutors in Utah, Utah Tutoring Programs