The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine Issue 5 | Page 38

Keeping Calm
Through Movement

T

By Cara Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L

he old saying says, “Sit still and be quiet.” Most parents
and therapists realize that saying is simply not true. In
fact, as a pediatric occupational therapist, I know that adding movement actually improves focus and builds connections that enhance learning. When we add physical activities to our
child’s day, we can help them to better attend at school and during
homework. Why? Movement increases oxygen supply to the brain
and enhances cognitive processing.

With a little space and creativity, you can add fun movement to your home. Here are some ideas:
1) We commonly use beach balls in our clinic. They are

“slower moving” since they are filled with air. They also leave room for
error as they don’t cause injury when kids are accidentally hit with them. Children learn to catch a ball
using both hands together (bilateral integration, a skill which is necessary for future tasks such as cutting,
buttoning, tying shoes). Beach balls are easier targets. The cool thing is that you can make the task easier
by putting less air in the beach ball. This allows kids to grasp the plastic surface more easily. So play a
game of beach volleyball or see how many times you can throw the ball up into the air and then catch it.
This is fabulous for learning to count or to toss back and forth while learning math facts.

2) Pool noodles are commonly found at dollar stores and their creative possibilities
are endless. Children can jump over them as part of an obstacle course. They can be cut in half and

taped or velcroed to the wall. Kids can create a water maze by arranging the position of the noodles on
the wall. Another use for them is as limbo poles if they are help up either by chairs or older friends. Kids
can either play limbo with them OR crawl under them in the quadruped (crawling) position. This helps
to build core muscle strength which will later be used for completing
school tasks seated at the desk. Also, cut in half, pool noodles can be
used as balance beams for young kids. Work in bare feet to make this
task easier.

3) Hula Hoops are super cool tools for kids of all ages.

Line several hoops up and encourage kids to hop with both feet into
the middle of each hoop. For older children, encourage them to hop
into the first hoop with the right foot, then the second hoop with the
left foot and so on. Gross motor coordination is necessary for sports
and jumping leads to hopping, then skipping, then bike riding.
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