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!