I'm not just a PT, I'm also a parent!

I'm not just a PT, I'm also a parent!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Gross Motor Summer Fun!



Take advantage of the hot summer weather and enjoy these fun activities with your child:
  • Swimming:  Other than being a fantastic cardiovascular activity, swimming is terrific for general strengthening, as the water provides gentle resistance in all directions.  Also, the water provides sensory input, both deep pressure and tactile input.
  • Ride bikes, tricycles, scooters, etc.:  Not only is this a fun cardiovascular activity, but children improve their balance and steering skills.  The movement will also provide lots of vestibular input.
  • Games like horseshoes, ring toss, tee ball, and badminton help your child develop hand-eye coordination.
  • Playing limbo helps build flexibility and improve balance.
  • Jumping rope:  Not only will your child get a cardiovascular workout, but jumping rope helps with jumping and timing skills.
  • Water Play:  This is always a hit with the kiddos!  Have a bucket brigade to encourage heavy work.  Hold a water balloon toss to work on hand-eye coordination.  Have your children help you wash your car/bike/dog to get a work out, receive some sensory input, and to help out with chores.  
  • Bubbles:  I use bubbles all the time in my treatment sessions.  Blow bubbles and have younger children bat at them while older children stomp or jump on them.  Catch a bubble on the wand and hold it just out of reach to encourage your child to rise up onto his/her toes.
Most of all, have a great time spending quality time with your child!  
 

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing, I found your blog via Ellen. we are in the middle of winter but great ideas for our up coming summer!

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  2. I'm glad you found my blog and got some good ideas! Here is a link to the post for Gross Motor Fall Fun, which might have some more seasonally-appropriate ideas for you: http://tanajimenezpt.blogspot.com/2011/11/gross-motor-fall-fun.html.

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