Toddler Balance Walk

Toddler Balance Walk

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Fitness Activity

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Requirements

• Outdoor space with natural and man-made obstacles
• Playground equipment may be suitable
• Low garden walls, benches, raised curbs, and dry logs are good

Instructions

  1. When walking outside with your toddler, find simple structures such as park benches, low garden walls, raised curbs, and dry logs.
  2. Encourage your toddler to climb onto these low structures and walk along them.
  3. Hold your toddler’s hands at all times.

Variations

• As your toddler shows confidence walking with balance in one direction, encourage them to turn and change directions while walking and balancing.

Benefits

This activity develops dynamic balance in preparation for all walking and running activities at older ages.

Tightrope

Tightrope

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Fitness Activity

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Requirements

  • A rope, ribbon, or any line on the ground

Instructions

  1. Find a straight line on the ground, or make one with rope, ribbon, or chalk line 5-6 metres long.
  2. A long pavement crack or concrete joint can also work.
  3. Show your child how to walk along the line heal-to-toe.
  4. Show how to extend arms for balance.
  5. Try walking along the line from start to finish without stepping off the line. If you do, you’ve “fallen.”
  6. Introduce imaginary scenarios for fun. Example: Pretend you are circus tightrope walkers.

Variations

  • Try walking along the line backwards, sidestepping, or crawling on all hands and feet
  • Create a tightrope obstacle course using several ropes, ribbons or lines on the ground – use a different walk on each length (forward, backward, sidestep, etc.) – you can designate “safe zones” between parts of the course to give your child a rest

Benefits

This activity develops coordination and balance as kids try to walk a straight line on a rope lying on the ground.

Throwing Stones in Water

Throwing Stones in Water

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Fitness Activity

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Requirements

  • Natural water body such as ocean, lake, river or large pond
  • Beach with plenty of small rocks 1-4 cm in diameter (i.e. gravel size)
  • Small sticks that float well

Instructions

  1. Toss one or two sticks into the water.
  2. Depending on the size of your child, sticks can be 2-5 metres from shore.
  3. Collect small stones for throwing at the sticks.
  4. Try to hit the sticks with the stones.
  5. Cheer whenever someone hits a stick!TIP: Show your child how to do a basic overhand throw.

    TIP: If you are throwing right-handed, your left leg should step forward.

    TIP: If you are throwing left-handed, your right leg should step forward.

    TIP: Your throwing hand should come from behind and over your shoulder.

Variations

  • Try making a game where you keep score – one point each time you hit a stick

Benefits

This activity develops coordination of arms and torso, fine motor control, and the ability to “read” distances. These skills transfer to sports and activities that involve throwing an object accurately over a perceived distance (e.g., balls, frisbees, ribbons, sticks, batons).

Throw and Catch – Wheeling

Throw and Catch – Wheeling

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Fitness Activity

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Requirements

  • Gymnasium or outdoor space with hard ground surface, soft balls of different sizes.

Instructions

  1. Child in a wheelchair throws and catches back and forth with another child or adult.
  2. Start 2 metres apart and then move farther apart when more challenge is desired.

Variations

  • If you want to make catching easier, try using lighter, softer, and bigger balls.
  • For extra challenge, try to throw and catch while moving.

Benefits

This activity develops throwing and catching skills together with core strength

Tennis Ball Bounce Catch

Tennis Ball Bounce Catch

by | Apr 18, 2020 | Fitness Activity

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Requirements

  • Open outdoor space
  • Tennis ball

Instructions

  1. In a large open area with pavement, gently play catch with your child using a tennis ball.
  2. Start by playing catch with simple underhand tosses from 2-4 metres.
  3. As your child becomes confident in catching the tennis ball, increase distance to 5-8 metres and toss the tennis ball so it bounces 1-2 metres in front of your child.
  4. Catch the tennis ball after it has bounced once.

Variations

  • Increase the distance and speed of your throws as your child shows more confidence and consistency in catching
  • You can also try overhand throws for more speed and distance

Benefits

This activity develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, and the ability to track moving objects in the air. These skills transfer to sports and activities that involve flying objects (e.g., balls, shuttlecocks, frisbees, ribbons, sticks, batons).

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