Music and Movement Song Ideas

Tana Jimenez, PT, MPT

I know  that a lot of you are finding yourselves in a situation where you need to be providing Telehealth PT services.  To help make your sessions fun and productive and to give some HEP ideas, here is a list of songs to help promote gross and fine motor skils.  They also help with development of imitation skills, following directions, and body awareness.

Gross Motor

• “Animal Action” by Greg and Steve/Kids In Motion
• “Bounce” by the Imagination Movers
• “Can You Do It?” by the Imagination Movers
• “Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)” by the Wiggles
• “Chicken Dance”
• “Clap Your Hands” by Old Town School of Folk Music
• “Dance Kung Fu” by the Imagination Movers
• “Do the Monkey” by the Wiggles
• “Do the Propeller” by the Wiggles
• “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” by Super Simple Songs
• “Hot Potato/Fruit Salad” by the Wiggles
• “If You're Happy and You Know It” by Super Simple Songs
• “Mover Music” by the Imagination Movers
• “Say the Dance, Do the Dance” by The Wiggles
• “Shakable You” by the Imaginaion Movers
• “Shake my Sillies Out” by Raffi
• “The Hokey Pokey” by Ray Anthony
• “The Shimmie Shake” by The Wiggles
• “We are the Dinosaurs” by Laurie Berkner

Fine Motor/Fingerplay

• “Baby Shark” by PINKFONG
• “BINGO” (The KidZup Toddler Tunes version is my favorite)

• “Open, Shut Them” by Turtle Interactive
• “Put Your Finger in the Air” by Rainbow Songs
• “Slippery Fish” by Kinder Tunes (please excuse the grammatical error in the song!)
• “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Patty Shukla
• “Wheels on the Bus” by Old Town School of Folk Music

To Purchase, please use the following affiliate links to help me earn money to buy therapy supplies for my low-income patients:

• Greg and Steve Kids in Motion
• Imagination Movers In a Big Warehouse
• Imagination Movers Rock-O-Matic
• Kidzup Best Toddler Tunes
• Laurie Berkner The Best of The Laurie Berkner Band
• Old Town School of Folk Music featured on Bloodshot Records: Fun For All Ages Sampler
• Patty Shukla Nursery Rhymes with Patty
• Raffi The Best Of
• Ray Anthony featured on One Hit Wonders of Pop Radio
• The Wiggles The Best Of

2015 Gift Guide

Are you looking for a gift for a child who struggles with gross motor skills?  Look no farther!

Rody

Rody is a fun alternative to a peanut ball for working on balance skills and trunk/leg strengthening.  His legs offer more stability and his ears are a handy place for kids to hold on while they bounce.  Not only is Rody super cute, but they come in all kinds of fun colors. 




Teeter Popper

This toy is similar to a standard rocker or balance board, but with one fun feature -- it's suction cup bottom provides great auditory feedback!  The suction cups also provide a bit more stability for those who struggle with their balance.  WARNING:  This may not be the best choice for those who are sensitive to sound.  For them, try a standard rocker board.

Wobble Deck

For a different type of challenge, try the Wobble Deck.  By playing one of its 3 games, kids' balance is challenged even further.  Because it moves in multiple planes, this toy is more appropriate for kids 4 and up with good balance.

Magic Moves Electronic Wand

Not only does this toy encourage movement, but it also helps kids to follow simple commands.  Kids will move like animals, dance, or freeze -- perfect for motor group activities, as well!

Cat in the Hat "I Can Do That!" Game

This is a quieter option to encourage movement and following directions.  Some of the activities are quite silly, which just makes them more fun!  It also comes in a smaller card game version.

Twister Moves

This is another fun game to encourage gross motor skills, balance, and following directions.  The CD will instruct players to step on the colored circles to dance along with the music.  It's a bit fast-paced, so it may frustrate beginners.  And because the instructions ask the players to step on certain colors, it may be difficult for those with visual impairments.

Hopscotch Rug

This is a way to bring hopscotch indoors during inclement weather and to add some cute decor to your home at the same time.  These are a fun way to learn numbers, sequencing, counting forwards and backwards, jumping, and hopping.

Bean Bags

Bean bags are a painless way to learn throwing and catching.  Throw them into a bucket, play corn hole, throw them into hula hoops laid on the ground or taped to the wall, try to strike a target -- the possibilities are endless.  And as a bonus, they come in really cute colors and shapes that can add to the learning by teaching colors and letters.  "Throw the bean bag with the letter A."  "Catch the green frog!"

Fun Ways to Encourage Tummy Time

Tummy time is important for an infant's development.  Here are fun ways to encourage tummy time with your little one:

1.  Put baby on your chest 

Babies enjoy being held, so lay back and put baby on your chest to enjoy some face time.  Seriously, who can resist their child's sweet face?   If baby can't tolerate being all the way on his or her tummy, lay on an angled surface.

2.  Use a Biddy Belly

I reviewed this nifty toy in a previous post: Products I Love - Biddy Belly

 

3.  Find a fun tummy time mat

When I had my first baby, I questioned the necessity of a tummy time mat.  However, if your child is resistant to tummy time, there are some really neat tummy time mats out there! Some have flat mirrors, while others have different textures.  Some have toys attached and others have a water-filled insert.  Find something that will capture your little one's attention and have some fun!

4.  Sensory Play

Give your little one something fun to do while on his or her tummy that also encourages sensory integration.  Here are some fun ideas:

•  Put a toy that lights up and/or plays music in front of baby to encourage her to push up and reach while on her tummy.
• Put a cookie sheet in front of baby and put some water or whipped cream into it to encourage exploration and splashing.  Supervise your child all all times during this activity!
• Put a mirror or light box in front of baby to encourage visual stimulation and pushing up on his forearms or palms.

5.  Use a therapy/exercise ball

If you have an exercise ball or a peanut ball, lay your baby on the ball on his or her tummy.  Roll baby forward and back toward your face or a mirror to give him or her something interesting to look at.  On a regular ball, you can also rock baby from side to side.  Oftentimes, baby will extend his or her trunk while on the ball, encouraging prone extension for strengthening.  Please hold your child at all times while he or she is on a ball! (unlike the photo below)

photo from http://www.especialneeds.com/straight-roll.html

Part I - Lose Your Mummy Tummy DVD

My last month of pregnancy was more difficult than we anticipated.  Aside from the pain I consistently experience during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and my diastasis recti, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  My blood sugar was well-controlled and my baby was a good size until week 38, when I was told that baby was measuring at 40 weeks and my sugars were starting to go haywire.  As a result, I had to be induced by 39 weeks.

Fortunately, my baby boy was born perfectly healthy with no signs of hypoglycemia or jaundice.  Unfortunately, mommy suffered some injuries during the birth process and I was just given a clean bill of health and cleared for full activity yesterday. 

Mommy's little angel at 8 weeks

As a result, I will begin my Tupler Technique post-partum exercise program!  I will be watching the Lose Your Mummy Tummy DVD and using Julie Tupler's technique to help correct my diastasis recti and get back into shape.

Along the way, I will share embarrassing photos of myself and keep you informed of my progress.  Wish me luck, as with 4 little boys running around, it's hard to find quiet time to myself!

Here is my mummy tummy before starting the Tupler Technique:

Though this is embarrassing to show publicly, I'm sucking up my pride in trying to help other mamas out there!

Please excuse my topographical roadmap -- when mama is only 4'11", baby has nowhere to grow except straight out!  And after 4 pregnancies, this is what happens.  Hopefully, the next series of photos will look a lot prettier than this...

Partial Review of Perfect Pushing DVD

I haven't blogged for quite a while, but I'm back with an 8-week-old baby boy!

Welcome to the world, baby J!

My last month of pregnancy was more difficult than we anticipated.  Aside from the pain I consistently experience during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  My blood sugar was well-controlled and my baby was a good size until week 38, when I was told that baby was measuring at 40 weeks and my sugars were starting to go haywire.  As a result, I had to be induced by 39 weeks.

I had every intention of having a fantastic birth experience using the techniques learned from the Perfect Pushing DVD, but God had other plans for me.  My epidural worked a little too well and I was having a very difficult time pushing, so I was unable to put Julie Tupler's techniques into practice.  I ended up having a vacuum-assisted delivery and was literally one push away from an emergency C-section.

So here is a partial review of Perfect Pushing:

Pros:

• All the exercises are clearly explained as they are being demonstrated
• The exercises themselves are not difficult
• I like to think that using these techniques enabled me to make one final push to avoid an emergency C-section

Cons:

• I would have loved it if pregnant women of all shapes and sizes were shown performing the exercises.
• This is just my personal opinion, but the cover image of a baby being squeezed out of a toothpaste tube is a bit creepy to me.

2012 Gift Guide - Sports Toys

Here are some gift ideas for the special preschool and elementary-aged kids in your life who may need a little help with their gross motor skills:

Basketball Hoop

Basketball hoops are fun in general, but they also help kids learn to throw underhand, to throw with accuracy, and to tiptoe and jump to slam dunk.  We have the Fisher-Price Give Me Five Sports Center, which includes basketball, hockey, soccer, football, and baseball.  It may be discontinued, which is unfortunate because it's a great toy that "grows" with your child.  There are several kids' basketball hoops on the market, however, so you'll be able to find a suitable one.

Soccer Net
Soccer drills are a great way to help kids practice balance and kicking with accuracy.  You can make a goal out of something as simple as two plastic cups or cones, or you can get something like the Talk To Me Soccer Set, which gives auditory feedback when a child scores a goal.

Baseball Equipment
Aside from being's America's pasttime, baseball includes a lot of fundamental gross motor skills.  From throwing to catching, from batting to running, it may be perceived as a slow game, but it provides a full-body workout.

A fun gift is a baseball set that includes a tee, a light ball, and a plastic bat.  Children can learn hand-eye coordination as they strike a small, stationary object.  You can always start with a 6" rubber ball, then progress down to a standard-sized baseball.  Once your kiddo hits the ball, it's time to run the bases!

And naturally, what family doesn't play catch?  We recently bought our two older sons (6 and 4) child-sized baseball gloves and within a week or two, they were fielding ground balls and (sometimes) catching slow line drives.  If your child is having difficulty catching, start off with a velcro "glove" and a tennis ball to allow more room for error.

 

Balance Beam
Gymnastics has grown in popularity over the last 20 years, so your little aspiring gymnast may love to get a balance beam!  Start simple by having your child walk on it with a shuffling pattern with his or her feet parallel and as balance improves, have your child walk on it with a normal gait pattern, walk sideways, and walk backwards. 

 

For safety, choose a balance beam that is only a couple inches off of the ground.  For younger children, choose one that is about 6" wide, for older children you can use the standard 4" width.

Golf or Hockey Set
Playing golf and hockey will help your child with hand-eye coordination, trunk rotation, and balance.  Besides, it's fun!

 

Trampoline with Support Bar

If your child is having difficulty jumping, try one of these fun trampolines!  The support bar allows children to bear some weight through their upper extremities so their lower extremities don't have to work so hard.  The bar also helps them to maintain balance.  These are also great for children who seek the sensory input from jumping and the bar will help them to remain safe and in control as they bounce.

Before shopping, don't forget to consider the trampoline's weight limits.  Some models also have removable bars.

This trampoline from Urban Rebouding is designed for adults, so it has a larger weight capacity.  The support bar is removable, but it a bit high for young children.  Another great feature is that the legs fold inward so that it stores flat.

Target Practice
We use this nifty velcro target in pediatric therapy clinics all the time.  It's a nice size, providing a good sized target for your child.  And the fact that the ball sticks to it provides instant feedback regarding the accuracy of his or her throw.   The fact that you can keep score is a plus for those more-competitive kids.

2012 Gift Guide - Ride-On Toys

Last year, I wrote my gift guide by ages.  This year, I'll be doing it by category.  Today, I'm starting with ride-on toys for children from babies to elementary-age.

Playskool Walk 'N Ride
Convertible push toys are great because they're multifunctional and can be used for a relatively long period of time.  I really like the Playskool Walk 'N Ride because it can entertain children from infancy up until 2-3 years of age.  Infants can play with the spinners, roll it back and forth, and open and close the door on the front.  Older babies can use it as a push toy to practice walking with support.  I like the fact that this particular toy allows a baby who is learning to walk to use a narrower base of support and does not extend so far backward that the child needs to lean too far forward to walk safely.  Young toddlers can use it as a ride-on toy to help with balance and lower extremity strengthening.  Both my 9-month-old and 3-year old enjoyed playing with it last year and my now 21-month-old still uses it frequently.  Our Walk 'N Ride stays indoors and has survived 3 very active boys.

Kiddi-O Smoovy
     The Smoovy is made by Kettler, so you know you're getting a good quality, sturdy toy.  The price can be a bit off-putting, but Kettler products last a very long time, so if you plan to use this with more than one child, it's a worthwhile investment.
      I like the Smoovy because it's sturdy and stable.  It's a great ride-on toy for toddlers because there is less risk of toppling, it rolls smoothly, and it was designed by Physical Therapists.

Pewi Ybike
The Pewi Ybike is another multi-functional ride-on toy.  Like the Walk 'N Ride, it can be used both as a push toy for beginning walkers and a ride-on toy for toddlers.  The caster wheels allows the Ybike to roll in any direction, so it will offer more of a challenge to beginning walkers as they need to control its direction.  As a ride-on toy, the caster wheels will allow kids to roll in any direction, challenging their balance and trunk control in several planes.  The narrow seat also allows children with impaired hip mobility to sit on the seat safely.

Wheely Bug

Like the Ybike, the Wheely Bug has caster wheels that allow it to roll in any direction.  It's also super-cute and comes in a bumblebee, ladybug, mouse, tiger, pig, and cow.  The seat is a bit wider, so it would provide a nice stretch for kids with tight hip abductors.  The Wheely Bug also comes in two sizes, so you can select what is most appropriate for your child.

PlasmaCar
Similar to the Roller-Racers of the '80s, the PlasmaCar relies on a turn of the handlebars to roll.  My kids love riding their friends' PlasmaCars because they provide a smooth ride on hard, level surfaces.  These are great for building trunk strength and balance as children control the direction by both steering and leaning.  These can get going pretty fast, so make sure your child wears a helmet when riding a PlasmaCar.  I have seen less-expensive versions of PlasmaCars, but am unsure of their quality.

Balance/Strider Bike

These are basically small bicycles with no pedals that allow children to practice balancing on two wheels with the security of being able to place their feet on the ground.  They are a bit expensive, but if you're handy, you can buy a small bike and remove the pedals while your child is learning to balance.

 

Weplay Pedal Walker

This is a fun toy for older kids that they can ride standing up.  As their balance and control improves, the handles can be removed to provide an additional challenge.  

Physical Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

The original version of this post can be found at https://www.ourcarecommunity.com/Html/CareResourceCenter/Articlesdesc/can-physical-therapy-help-control-symptoms-of-multiple-sclerosis/CatDesc/30/149/rehabilitation.

Approximately 350,000 people in the United States have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.  Celebrities with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis include talk show host Montel Williams, actress Annette Funicello, actress Teri Garr, journalist Neil Cavuto, former first lady of Massachusetts Ann Romney, singer/actress Lena Horne, and comedian Richard Pryor.

Annette Funicello with Frankie Avalon

Lena Horne

Richard Pryor (photo by Alan Light)

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system.  MS is usually diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age and is more common in women than in men.  Inflammation from MS causes damage to the outer layer of nerve cells, which slows down or stops nerve signals. The cause of MS is not known, though it is believed that it may be the result of genetics, a virus, or environmental factors.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

MS has a multitude of symptoms, which include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Impaired balance
• Muscle spasms
• Tremor
• Abnormal sensations (including numbness, tingling, or a crawling sensation)
• Difficulty with gross motor movements, such as walking
• Difficulty with fine movements, such as writing, eating, and manipulating clothing fasteners
• Bowel problems (including constipation and/or leakage of stool)
• Problems with urination
• Double vision
• Gradual vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty speaking clearly
• Decreased attention, memory, and decision-making ability
• Depression

Since there is such a wide range of symptoms, the abilities of people with MS can vary greatly.  Symptoms usually come in episodes, which come and go over the course of several days, weeks, or months.   Heat, fatigue, and stress often exacerbate symptoms. 

Physical Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

While Physical Therapy cannot help all symptoms, it can help to build up endurance, increase strength, improve balance, assistance with moving more normally, to learn energy conservation techniques, and to provide caregiver training.  These PT sessions can take place in a home health care setting, as part of an adult day care program, at an assisted living facility, in skilled nursing facilities, and in outpatient clinics.

During the initial evaluation, the physical therapist will record a thorough history, including other medical diagnoses, medications that the patient is taking, and difficulties that the patient is experiencing. The PT will then assess a patient's range of motion, strength, sensation, balance, and functional mobility, paying close attention to the quality of movement and any compensatory patterns.

Direct PT treatments will include endurance training to help patients increase their physical endurance.  This training may make use of a stationary bike, a pool, a treadmill, or while performing everyday activities.  PT will also incorporate strengthening activities , which may help patients avoid compensatory movements, enhance joint stability, and allow them to perform activities of daily living more easily and efficiently.  Balance training also will be a major part of PT treatment to help patients decrease their risk of falls, allowing them to move throughout their homes and in the community safely.  Finally, transfer and gait training are vital parts of PT treatment, as a physical therapist will help patients learn to perform common movements such a moving in bed, standing from a chair, and walking in the safest and most efficient way possible.

A physical therapist may recommend varying types of adaptive equipment to aid MS patients with mobility, safety, and energy conservation.  The physical therapist may want to schedule a home visit to perform an assessment of the home’s safety and accessibility.  A cane or walker will help people with balance difficulties to walk with more stability.  A commode helps to make toileting easier since the seat is elevated and it includes armrests that a person can push off from to facilitate standing up.   A shower chair allows people to sit while they bathe to ensure safety and to help them conserve energy as they perform hygiene tasks.  Grab bars, particularly in the bathroom help to give support when a person with MS tries to move in a confined and possibly slippery room.  Finally, a wheelchair or electric scooter may be recommended for those who are unable to walk safely or who are unable to walk in the community for long distances due to deficits in balance, decreased strength, or impaired endurance.  

During the course of PT treatment, patients with MS will learn to make lifestyle changes to help avoid exacerbation of symptoms and to help conserve energy.  Lifestyle changes often include eating a balanced diet, avoiding heat, stress, and fatigue, and modifying one’s home to make it safer and more accessible.  

Conclusion

While there is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, Physical Therapy treatment can help slow a person’s functional decline and allow a person to live independently for as long as possible.  In the case of functional decline, a Physical Therapist can help patients adapt to their changing abilities and recommend the best equipment and lifestyle changes to accommodate them.  Hopefully, with the help of a Physical Therapist, people with Multiple Sclerosis will be able to postpone having to move to an assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility.