If you have ever observed a pediatric occupational or physical therapy session, you may have seen therapists working on wheelbarrow walking with their clients. There are many benefits to wheelbarrow walking and it is a great overall body exercise that targets the core muscles. What are the Benefits of Wheelbarrow Walking? This is an excellent […]
Have you noticed that children are frequently overstimulated, fidgety, or constantly on the go? In today’s fast-paced society it can be very difficult to help children be present in the moment, slow down. and ready to learn. Here is a fun, simple strengthening exercise and motor timing game that requires no equipment – the slow […]
Do you need ideas to increase power in children? The definition of power is (force x distance) ÷ time. In other words power is the product of strength and speed over time. There are many different power exercises for kids that they can work on to improve their potential. Many times children who receive therapy services […]
Stability at the shoulder muscles is an essential component for coordination, postural control and fine motor skill development. Basically anytime you move your hand and fingers you need your upper body and shoulders to either stabilize or actively contract. Upper body exercises for kids and shoulder strengthening activities can help children develop the muscles necessary […]
As pediatric therapists, we often recommend that students work on vertical surfaces such as a wall, easel or slant board to encourage an increase in wrist extension, elbow and shoulder stability, and upright posture. By modifying the environment by moving tracing, copying, drawing, writing or play to vertical surfaces, you change the muscles that are […]
Play dough is an amazing, simple tool to help children increase muscle strength in the fingers and hands, expand creativity and encourage imagination. Below are 10 ways to use play dough to increase hand strength. Why Use Play Dough to Increase Hand Strength? When children squish, squeeze and pinch play dough, they are working on strengthening all […]
Do you know the benefits of working on a vertical surface? When children work on a vertical surface they increase wrist extension, elbow and shoulder stability, and upright posture. When you modify the environment with this one change (moving play to a vertical surface), you change the muscles that are activated in the body. Here […]
10 Simple Activities to Improve Grip Strength in Children Developing grip strength in children is super important for everyday functional skills. Kids need to have adequate muscle strength to use the monkey bars, hold a writing utensil, use school supplies and get dressed. Young children can work on improving grip strength through play and everyday […]
Strength and Fitness in Homeschool Children: Pediatric Exercise Science published research on 75 homeschooled children ages 8-11 years old comparing them to public school children with regards to muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. Each participant completed the curl-up, 90° push-up, and Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER) portions of the FitnessGram® to assess abdominal and upper body […]
Looking for some easy, fun ideas for hand strengthening activities for kids that require little to no equipment and no, extensive preparation? Check out these free sample pages from The Hand Strengthening Handbook. Who knew you could do so many fun games and activities with donkey kicks? How about using rubber bands in some creative […]