Ready to get moving with your 3-5 year old? Here are some suggestions to keep you moving during those days when you can’t get outside. These equipment suggestions will get your little one moving, while building strength, stability and balance.
Small Stability Ball (around 18″) or a Animal Hopper or a Ball Hopper
Exercise balls are a simple and easy piece of “equipment” for you and your child to use at home in a variety of ways. Exercise balls help to strengthen the core muscles and increase endurance, motor planning, body awareness, and postural control and stability.
Playing with a balance board improves your child’s balance, which is essential for crawling, walking, running and jumping.
The climbing movement and crawling or scooting through a tunnel develops a child’s gross motor skills and teaches them to control their arms and legs. Tunnels can also be used as a quiet place for children to self-regulate their emotions and return to play when they feel ready.
Jumping on the mini trampoline will help to build lower body strength and facilitate improved balance.
Climbing or Building, Climbing Blocks
Climbing sets and blocks offer a range of physical and cognitive benefits, such as improved gross motor movement, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. Climbing frames can also help children build resilience, build confidence, and cope with mixed emotions.
Yoga enhances flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, it can promote improved ability to concentrate and promote a sense of calmness.
For further suggestions on building your child’s motor skills, Eyas Landing’s highly credentialed, evidence-based physical therapy team can help! Contact us to learn more.
Eyas Landing is a therapy clinic with a mission to provide evidence-based and family-centered therapy services for children, adolescents, and their families. The primary goal is to deliver relationship-based interventions within the most natural environments and to empower families to reach their full potential. To achieve this goal, our highly educated, compassionate staff dedicates time and expertise to create experiences that maximize therapeutic outcomes. The strength, determination, and perseverance of our clients are evident as they succeed in therapy, and ultimately in their daily lives.
Eyas Landing offers a wide range of comprehensive services including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA Therapy, Social Work, Family Therapy, and Neuropsych testing. Services are provided throughout the Chicagoland area via Telehealth, In-Home, and in our state of the art clinic.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
