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Physical Therapy involves muscle strength and tone, flexibility, coordination, balance and movement. Some of the activities below can help to support skills in these areas. Others offer fun and easy ideas to help kids get their energy out in healthy ways. Please only try those that you think make the most sense for your child - if there are any you aren’t sure about, skip them.
Physical Therapy involves muscle strength and tone, flexibility, coordination, balance and movement. Some of the activities below can help to support skills in these areas. Others offer fun and easy ideas to help kids get their energy out in healthy ways. Please only try those that you think make the most sense for your child - if there are any you aren’t sure about, skip them.
Students who have limited mobility are encouraged to continue to use adaptive equipment such as standers, gait trainers, AFOs (leg braces), TLSOs (body jackets) and Benik vests daily.
PLEASE NOTE - SOME EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES REQUIRE A MODERN BROWSER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY
Examples:
Video 1: Welcome and Warm Up
Video 2: Ignite Your Endurance
Video 3: Getting Schooled on Strength
Video 4: Boost Your Balance
Animal walks are a great way to maintain or build strength and encourage active range of motion while still having fun!
Animal walks are a great way to maintain or build strength and encourage active range of motion while still having fun!
Bear Walks
Bear Walks
Place hands and feet on the floor; knees should be bent a little but should not touch the floor. Feel free to ROAR while you walk!
Crab Walks
Crab Walks
Start in bridge position and keeping your bottom off the floor, use your hands to move forward or backwards.
Penguin Walks
Penguin Walks
Stand up tall, lift your toes off the floor and take steps with only your heels touching the floor. You can use your arms to help with balance or just for fun!
Frog Walks (start)
Frog Walks (start)
Start in a deep squat with both hands and feet on the floor. Use your legs to jump up and forward.
Frog Walks
Frog Walks
Arms and legs should come up as you jump then back down as you land back in your starting position.
High kneel or tall kneel position is a great way to build proximal stability or core strength. This is a great activity for students who are not yet walking or who need to improve their strength and walking endurance.
High kneel or tall kneel position is a great way to build proximal stability or core strength. This is a great activity for students who are not yet walking or who need to improve their strength and walking endurance.
Have kids pass or toss a balloon back and forth. Some kids may need you to sit behind them and provide support at the legs or hips to remain in the position.
No partner, no problem! Kids can bat a balloon against a wall. For a bit more of a challenge, move further away from the wall - this might require leaning to the side or leaning forward to reach the balloon.
Sometimes staying in tall kneel position can be hard work! Drawing, coloring, or playing with stickers or refrigerator magnets can be a great distraction. (Note: if your child tends to color off the page, you may want to tape paper to your refrigerator as they are usually easier to clean.)
Ready for a challenge? Try walking in high kneel! Some kids may need an adult to hold their hands at first while they get used to moving in this position. Tandem walking and tall kneel races are great for kids who are ready for a higher level of difficulty.
Core muscles include abdominal muscles, back muscles, chest muscles, hip muscles and pelvic muscles. A strong core is important for all types of movement as well as for balance, including being able to safely adjust when balance is challenged. The below activities can help to improve or maintain core strength.
Core muscles include abdominal muscles, back muscles, chest muscles, hip muscles and pelvic muscles. A strong core is important for all types of movement as well as for balance, including being able to safely adjust when balance is challenged. The below activities can help to improve or maintain core strength.
Table
Table
In addition to improving core strength, table position can help strengthen the shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. Some children may need support to get into or stay in this position.
Reverse Table
Reverse Table
Start in bridge position and push up. Some children will need assistance to get into or stay in this position. Like table, this position builds strength through the core, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. It also strengthens the back and stretches the muscles around the spine.
Superman
Superman
Start by lying flat on your belly with your arms out in front of you. Lift arms, head, chest and legs off the floor. This is a challenging position - some children might start by raising only their arms/head and leaving legs on the floor. You can encourage kids to raise their arms and heads by holding up a favorite toy or an iPad with a favorite song or video and having them reach towards it.
Supine Flexion
Supine Flexion
Start lying on your back. Raise your legs and bend your knees. Cross your arms over your chest or use them to reach forward and "crunch" upwards. Some children will bring their heads and chests just slightly off the floor and stay mostly on their backs while some will transition into a seated position.
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