#grossmotor

[eternaleve44]

Family Hikes/Walks.

This summer we tried to get outside and moving as much as possible; in the woods, through trails and on tracks.

(Summer 2024)

[eternaleve44]

The grass is lava!

March 2025

[helpingyounglives]

Day Two: Physical Activity

Make a cardboard hopscotch for a fun indoor activity that your little ones can burn off some energy while being stuck inside when the weather isn’t the best outside.

This can also be done outside in the garden depending on if the weather is nice, otherwise the cardboard will become soggy although if the sun is shining and you’d like to create an easy hopscotch then colourful chalk is always my favourite.

This cardboard hopscotch gives kids the perfect excuse to hop and jump and move around when there cooped up inside. It’s also a good form of recycling old materials and creating homemade rescources will also save you some pennies.

Supplies:

-Cardboard ( large cereal boxes and old pizza boxes are ideal, these are easy to get hold of and are more than likely already in your household)

-Scissors ( please use under adult supervision or assistance)

- Pencil

-Paint or Crayons

-Paintbrushes (this depends if your painting or not)

The things you need to follow to create your hopscotch is figuring out the design you want to go for your numbers and how many you want to do. The amount of numbers you decide to include may depend on how old the child/children are.

Once you have made this decision you can draw your numbers onto the cardboard squares and then decorate them!

If your not confident in writing out bubble style numbers then there are number templates available for you online to use.

Arrange your squares on the floor and get hopping!

Letting your child/children rearrange the hopscotch is a great way to work on counting skills and number recognition.

If your going to try this on wooden flooring make sure you test to see how slippery it is first!

You can always run a few lines of puffy paint along the back of the squares if your concerned about the cardboard sliding.

Don’t forget the beanbag or your “hopscotch stones” if you don’t have beanbags then you can use a soft teddy or a pebble from the garden.

And that my friends, is all there is to know how to create your own indoor cardboard hopscotch for your toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Happy Hopping 🐰

[shenandoahsoundstart]

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One physical therapy activity can work on coordination, motor planning, range of motion, endurance, strength and balance. Another important goal for children is to build confidence and foster joy in personal accomplishments. Children who are confident in their skills will be more willing and able to participate in gross motor activities with peers. And isn’t play what childhood is all about? #shenandoahsoundstart #grossmotor #playwithpurpose #pediatricPT #motorplanning #kidsexercise #Teletherapy #physicaltherapy #kidsPT #balance #exerciseforkids #developmentalexercises #winchesterkidsPT #telehealthPT #learnthroughplay #winchester #pediatrictherapy #PT #pediatrictherapy #ptvirginia #pediatricphysicaltherapy #soundstart (at Shenandoah SOUNDstart, LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD5KareB2vs/?igshid=1movw11b7pth7

[shenandoahsoundstart]

It’s back-to-school time! Whether your child is going to be distance learning, attending traditional school, or doing a hybrid version of both, they will surely be sitting for a good portion of their day. For kids with low muscle tone, balance concerns or core weakness, sitting still can be a difficult task, and can affect their ability to learn. To give your child a heads up on the school year, try this fun activity to help promote sitting balance, core strength and crossing midline. Any stickers and ball will do! If you have concerns about your child’s balance, strength or development, Shenandoah SOUNDstart can help! Teletherapy evaluations and treatment sessions are available. #shenandoahsoundstart #grossmotor #playwithpurpose #pediatricPT #motorplanning #kidsexercise #Teletherapy #physicaltherapy #lowtone #kidsPT #balance #exerciseforkids #developmentalexercises #winchesterkidsPT #telehealthPT #learnthroughplay #winchester #pediatrictherapy #PT #soundstart #corestrength #bettersitting (at Shenandoah SOUNDstart, LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDz-W6yhZWr/?igshid=16ntn74r9q84r

[brookemcadammom]

Hi! I just wanted to share some tips and tricks for working on motor skills at home, especially with therapies mostly being done virtually during this time!

1. Try to incorporate motor movement into your normal daily routine - for example, try to have the child stand on one foot while you brush their teeth, or have them try to jump off the last step when walking downstairs. Another idea would be to have your child help clean up, and encourage them to squat to the ground, or reach up high to get the items. Bonus points for working on throwing the items into a bin once they pick them up!!

2. Another great way to work on motor skills at home is to do obstacle courses. You can easily set up an obstacle course inside or outside with items you already have around the house! Some of these items could be a broom, couch cushions, pillows, toys, or step stools. Have the child move through the obstacle course to get from one end of the room to the other, or have them do a puzzle while doing the obstacle course for more motivation (and some bonus fine motor work!).

3. Playgrounds are also a great place to work on gross motor activities. Stepping up onto the equipment, jumping off, navigating over uneven terrain, it's the perfect place to challenge their balance!

So there's a few tips for today! I will try to share some more soon :)

-Brooke

[shenandoahsoundstart]

Just one session later and look at the progress! Practicing coordination activities helps to improve speed, timing, rhythm, motor planning and fluidity of the movements. When learning a new skill, therapist often teach children to incorporate visual cues (such as performing the skill while watching another person) or verbal prompts (such as repeating the sequence in words, or counting along). You've perfected the skill when you can move through the sequence without needing prompts just as this child did. The movements will then flow more naturally and require lass concentration. Teletherapy is an effective method to promote coordination and other skills in children. At Shenandoah SoundStart, we're helping kids to move forward with their goals despite staying at home. #shenandoahsoundstart #kidsphysicaltherapy #kidsPT #kidstherapy #grossmotor #grossmotorskills #grossmotorplay #coordination #rhythm #pediatrictherapy #winchesterPT #exerciseforkids #learnthroughplay #teletherapy #winchesterva #soundstart (at Shenandoah SOUNDstart, LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CArATXuhXk6/?igshid=1a805kiz3xio5

[shenandoahsoundstart]

Try this clapping sequence to see how fast you can go and how many times you can clap without missing. This activity takes a lot of coordination. If you think it’s easy, close your eyes and do it again. Good luck! Coordination is the ability to move arms and legs together in a smooth and effective way. It requires good motor planning skills, timing, and body awareness. New skills are often difficult to learn but practice makes perfect! Pediatric physical therapists work with kids to help improve the coordination they need to play, learn and succeed in gross motor areas. At Shenandoah SOUNDstart, we’re using teletherapy to help kids through the COVID 19 crisis. We conduct teletherapy sessions that work on coordination, balance, strength, agility, flexibility, gross motor skills and more. #kidsPT #kidstherapy #exerciseforkids #grossmotorplay #grossmotor #shenandoahsoundstart #coordination #agility #teletherapy #soundstart #WinchesterVA #pt #pediatrictherapy #winchesterpt #pediatrics #winchesterpediatrictherapy (at Shenandoah SOUNDstart, LLC) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5WqOHnB-i/?igshid=1fyuhi7rcq55i