How to Make Play Activities Therapeutic
Did you know that play based activities can also be therapeutic? We understand why we need physical therapy after knee surgery, right? Physical therapy supports you in getting stronger and regaining mobility or range of motion. Chances are you even know that there are benefits of therapy for back pain. Physical therapy goals for that type of issue include decreasing pain, improving mobility, and strength in order to maximize function.
Why do kids need physical therapy? There are several reasons a child might need PT, but the goals are similar: to improve range of motion, strength, and maximize function. The challenge for a pediatric therapist is to make the exercises fun to ensure that children will be engaged and want to participate!
If your child is not walking, they might have weak core muscles or poor balance. How do we make that fun? Find out what motivates the child and use that!
To perform squats, we will have a child repeatedly pick up blocks in the floor to stack on the table.
To encourage taking steps, we may put a desired snack just out of reach on the table.
For core strengthening, we might have the child sitting on a yoga ball and take them on a “crazy ride” by bouncing in various directions.
We might even do baby sit ups by holding their hands and “blowing them down” and helping them sit up again.
Even laying on their tummy to play with a puzzle is beneficial.
Physical Therapy is about improving function. Pediatric therapy makes this process fun!
Some ideas to make exercise fun while home:
Pull a sibling on a sheet down the hall ( like pulling the weighted sled at the gym!)
Place hula hoops or string on the floor to make circles to jump in/ out of
Push a laundry basket from one end of the house to the other to pick up treasures (puzzle pieces, etc.)
Build an obstacle course with couch cushions, blankets, balls, etc.
To encourage crawling , climbing, or jumping, choose different animals to imitate (i.e., walk like a bear, a penguin, a crab , a frog, etc.) to pick up puzzle pieces or blocks at one end of the room and bring them back to put together.
If you have additional questions or would like more ideas, please contact our physical therapist at susan@collaborativecorner.org.
Susan Robins, PT
Pediatric Physical Therapist
susan@collaborativecorner.org