It’s that time of year to get outside! Now that the weather is cooling off, it’s a perfect time to get outside and play. Pediatric physical therapy incorporates therapeutic play techniques in treatment sessions to facilitate movements and promote goals. Playing with your child is one of the best ways to promote development as well as compliment your child’s physical therapy sessions. You may be surprised by how therapeutic some common childhood games and activities are. You just need to get outside and do them. Before you know it, you’ll be promoting your child’s development! Below are some common, everyday outside activities that have way more beneficial properties than you may originally recognize. Each of them has the ability to improve strength, endurance, cardiovascular health, balance, hand-eye coordination, bilateral coordination, and motor planning, not to mention they are fun and enjoyable too! Pick one a day and you’ll be off to a great start in benefiting your child’s progress in physical therapy and in their overall development!
Biking Riding Scooters
Hiking Hop Scotch
Climbing Swinging
Playing Tag/Chase Jumping Rope
Jumping on a trampoline Team sports (kickball, baseball, soccer, etc)
Tug of War Playing on a Playground
Swimming Racing (relay, scooter, crab, bear, wheelbarrow)
Have fun!
– Amanda, Physical Therapy Team
