6. Week
New week, new exercises. This week we will be playing the tightrope walker to improve balance, body awareness, and as a bonus, strengthen the arches of our feet to avoid flat feet. We will also practice the flower in the wind position, which is one of the key positions that children need to master. This means that we need good coordination between the muscles in the back and abdomen (i.e., the deep stabilizing muscles of the torso, or also called "core"). Which is the foundation for good gross motor skills. Additionally, this week we will focus on gross motor skills, auditory perception, and concentration.
Video, download and description of exercises
The tightrope walker
The child stands on one end of the rope and puts one foot in front of the other.
The child walks over the jump rope by repeatedly placing the heel of the front foot tightly in front of the big toe of the back foot. He places the heel first, then the toes.
Then try it backwards. In the beginning the child may look at his feet. When it goes well, we can make it harder so that he/she can only look in front of him/her (we can put a pillow on his/her head, which may not fall)
Note: at the beginning it is normal if the child does not yet put one foot in front of the other and has gaps between them. But gradually try to minimize the gaps between the legs. This will improve balance and body awareness.
Goal:
Improve balance
Improve proprioception (body sensation)
Flower in the wind
Have the child lay supine on the floor. Show how to curl up by crossing the right leg over the left leg and right arm over the left arm (or the left arms/legs over right), with the chin on the chest, shoulders relaxed, and (if possible) eyes closed.
Now the child spread out the arms and legs towards the ceiling and lays down the head (like a flower opening in the morning to greet the sun). The arms remain slightly bent, the palms facing upwards. There is a 90° bend in the hips, knees and ankles. All movements are simultaneously.
In this position, we unexpectedly push the child's knees to the side, the child must quickly balance and maintain the position
The head initiates the movement of returning to the original position, but with a smooth exchange of the opposite arm and leg on top
Note: we need the child not to fall sideways and be able to compensate the unexpected sideways movement. When you drum on the child's palms as if it were raindrops, he/she automatically puts down the shoulders and shoulder blades on the ground, and so the position will be more stable.
Goal:
Strengthen deep trunk muscles (core)
Inhibit Moro reflex (if persistent)
Donkey kick
Have the child standing in a forward bend with their hands on the ground.
Then, the child kicks both feet into the air simultaneously, as if performing a handstand and aiming to touch their heels to their buttocks. It is important for the child to maintain stability in their hands while performing this exercise.
Goal:
Improve coordination of movement,
Strengthening the arms and deep muscles of the trunk.
Hopscotch Jump
Have the child draw a hopscotch grid on the ground. The grid usually consists of a series of numbered squares or rectangles, with a single square at the top and two side-by-side squares at the bottom.
The first player tosses a small stone or beanbag into the first square. They then hop through the grid, skipping the square with the stone or beanbag.
Players must hop on one foot into the first square, then hop with the same foot into the second square. They then hop on one foot into the third square, and so on, until they reach the end of the grid.
When they reach the end of the grid, they turn around and hop back through the grid, retrieving the stone or beanbag as they pass through the square where it landed.
If a player steps on a line or touches the ground with both feet, they lose their turn.
The game continues with the next player taking a turn. The game ends when all players have completed the grid.
Players can add variations to the game, such as hopping through the grid with both feet, hopping backward, or performing other challenges while hopping through the grid.
The winner of the game is usually the player who completes the grid with the most skill and accuracy.
Goal:
Improve coordination of movements
Improve graphomotor skills by drawing the grid
Improve balance.
Where was that from?
The child is sitting on the floor with his eyes closed
We make a sound; the child shows which side the sound came from.
Goal:
Improve auditory perception
Drawing and jumping the Hopscotch Jump is fun for young and old alike. Invite your friends and jump together. Enjoy! I'll look forward to seeing you next week!