Positioning Activities

Sitting Positions

Goal: Trunk Control, Eye Movement Development, Attention and Focus, Reflex Integration

Even though your child is sitting, they still are working on a lot of their gross motor skills. Please avoid W-sitting, which is sitting on the bottom, knees in front, and legs bent so that feet are next to the hips. Please encourage your child to sit up straight. It's a good reminder for adults too!

Playing in Quadruped

Goal: Shoulder Girdle Strength, Core and Extension Strength, Reflex Integration

This is a great position for play, especially after sitting for long periods of time. While the position is technically called "quadruped," in therapy, we often tell the kids to "get on your hands and knees." When in this position, it's important to make sure the hands are down flat, not tented up or weight bearing on the thumb webspace. Play a game in this position or work on some arts and crafts. It's great for adults too!

Quadruped Bucket Fill

Looking for an activity for your child to do while working on all fours? Have them pick up game pieces, puzzle pieces, letters, etc. and put into a bucket. You can make it more challenging by making it a container with higher sides or putting it up on a small stool. Remember, we want one hand on the ground at all times, so don't make it too high. If you have letter tiles or the alphabet magnets, have your child spell out their popcorn words!

Playing in Prone

Goal: Shoulder Strength, Back and Neck Strength, Fine Motor Control, Attention and Focus

Check out this link to The Inspired Treehouse for ideas of how (and why) to play in prone.

Prone Position: 14 Fun Activities for Kids! - The Inspired TreehouseThese prone position play activities are great for building core strength and endurance to support fine motor development. *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. Tummy time isn’t just for babies! It can be just as beneficial for older kids, too! Recently, we have come across several kids who just don’t have the muscle endurance to stay on their bellies and play! Why? These are the kiddos that spent very little time on their tummies as babies and, often, [Continue Reading]

Kneeling Activities

Goal: Hip and Pelvis Strength, Core Strength, Postural Control, Balance

Playing a game? Working on school work? A great position is to have your child work in is kneeling. High (or tall) kneeling is when the child is on their knees and their bottom is not resting on their feet. 1/2 kneeling ("one foot-one knee) is when one foot is on the ground and one knee is on the ground. This is more of a balance challenge. Make sure to work both sides! Then, have your child stand up from this position without using their hands to pull up. Have them put their hands on their elevated knee and push through there.

Kneel to Stand

Goal: Improve standing through half kneel and build leg and trunk strength.

You can time your child to see how many they can do in 30 seconds or give them a goal of completing 10 reps, then work on increasing the number!

This can be done outside on a garage door, as seen, or in the house. If doing this outside, give your child something to kneel on, such as a yoga mat, outdoor blanket or towel, to make it easier on their knees!