06 Jun Great Exercises for the Great Outdoors
June is National Great Outdoors Month. It also is the start of summer for school children. Although it is good to give your child a break for the traditional school environment, parents sometimes make the mistake of not encouraging further development of skills over the long days of summer. When children return to school, the transition can be difficult not only in terms of attention, but also for the tiny muscles of their hands that haven’t worked out in over two months. You can help your child by providing some fun outdoor activities that also work to improve or maintain the stability of the shoulders, which is needed for good posture and handwriting skills when they return to their desk in the new school year. When you are outdoors this summer, try these four examples of smart play made simple.
Use Sidewalk Chalk
Draw pictures on the ground pushing the chalk across the rough texture of cement. This promotes good hand strength as well as drawing and writing skills.
Play Tug of War
Have partners hold onto a rope or belt on opposite ends being careful not to fall. This increases strength and endurance throughout the hand and up to the shoulders.
Practice Wheelbarrow Walking
This partner activity of children walking on their hands while their feet are raised off the ground can improve coordination and shoulder stability. Get a group together for a race.
Play Balloon Volleyball
Blow up a balloon and tap it with your fingertips keeping it off the ground as long as possible. This activity can build endurance, control of the muscles, and reaction time to moving objects.
If your child is having difficulty with coordination, strength, or endurance, you should consult with your doctor about having an occupational or physical therapist conduct an evaluation and create a treatment plan if deemed necessary. Have a playful day!
Amy Baez, MOT, OTR/L
Amy Baez is a pediatric occupational therapist, award-winning handwriting author, and Founder of Playapy. For more information, visit www.playapy.com or email [email protected].