October/November
Hi Families,
This month’s activities are playing in tall kneeling (part 1), playing in half kneeling (part 2) and then transferring from the floor to standing through these positions (part 3). For both tall kneeling and half kneeling, there are different levels of help from doing this at a surface (i.e leaning up against a couch) to obtaining the position without the help of furniture.
When it comes to moving from the floor to standing (part 3), many kids push up with their hands on the ground. This may not be because they are so weak but because of habit. Please consider that it takes many repetitions to form new habits. On the other hand, some kids cannot yet do any or all of these skills and may never. Practice is good for both strengthening and balance even if your child does not achieve this independently.
We hope these activities can be fun with your child. If the activity causes any stress or discomfort for you or your child please stop doing the activity.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
Cory and Ellen
Activity #1- Tall Kneeling
We sometimes say “Tall like a tree” or the yoga pose ‘Squirrel’.
Tall kneeling is a great activity for trunk strengthening, balance and hip flexor stretching. Developmentally, one stands up from a tall kneeling to a half kneeling position as they mature versus using their hands and feet.
This table is a good height for this child to play at.
#2. Tall kneeling to half kneeling.
Again, at a surface of appropriate height, have your child go from tall kneeling (tall like a tree) to half kneeling (up with one knee). They can use their arms at the surface to help them. The key is to work with your child to not let their bottom drop as they lift their leg up. Make sure to do a half kneeling position to both sides.
- Play at the surface in half kneeling. Try the other side.
- When ready, have your child try and stand up with a half kneeling position at a surface. You might have them reach up as you hold up puzzle pieces and come back down to place them in a puzzle. Stand up through half kneeling to pop a bubble.
- As your child uses the surface less to stand up, try to have them stand up using only one hand on the surface and eventually no hands. Then stand up from tall kneeling to half kneeling in the middle of the room.
- Have them reach for a toy, a ball etc if needed. Puzzles are great for this activity.
Overall, don’t stay too long on one activity even if your child is really motivated. Best to end on a positive note. If they are struggling, make it fun and use short periods of time.
#3 Transferring from floor to standing through half kneeling
Have your child start in tall kneeling and move one leg out in front into a half kneeling position. Make sure your child stays up tall and does not sit their bottom back on their heels. We say, “ up tall like a tree, up on one knee and stand.”
*You can start this activity at a surface if that is where your child is developmentally. Encourage your child not to touch the ground with his or her hands but to put them on the surface or the table.
*Gradually move from two hands on the table to one hand and then to having your child put their hands on their knees.
*Make sure your child is leaning forward like they are getting out of a chair instead of coming straight up.
*Repeat with the other side.
*You can make this into a game by having your child get up and down to blow or pop a bubble or get a puzzle piece and sit back down and put it into the puzzle on the floor.