Higher balance skills (Full Version)

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Nachomaster -> Higher balance skills (February 12, 2004 9:46:00 AM)

Does anyone have ideas for activities for higher balance and motor planning in the home setting? We do things like kicking a ball, stepping over and around objects, walking on variable surfaces. I've gone stale.



tlhpedspt -> Re: Higher balance skills (February 22, 2004 5:23:00 AM)

I don't have alot to add, as I use what you have mentioned. Working on single leg stance I often have the child place one foot on playground size or smaller ball. We have to count or sing to motivate while they maintain the balance. If ball is too hard, I use box or block that is more stable. Can also place bean bag on foot or knee and ask them to stand on other foot while raising the bean bag (again single leg stance). Equilibrium board is a nice higher level balance tool. We do kneeling/halfkneeling/standing, moving to reach for and throw bean bags at target.



CA_SPT -> Re: Higher balance skills (November 22, 2004 8:30:00 PM)

How old is the child? How about throwing and catching a ball or reaching outside of base of support while "surfing" on pillows? Go "rock hopping" across obstacle course made of blocks (with friction pads underneath to prevent slipping). Simon Says, Twister with obstacles placed on some of the circles to force postural control. Obstacle courses with twist and turns for dynamic balance. If you have a portable plastic balance beam or just a stable piece of log, you can bring it and have the child do reaching while keeping feet in tandem on the beam. Just some thoughts.



LucyH -> Re: Higher balance skills (November 23, 2004 7:39:00 AM)

Are you able to simulate the moving environment in the peripheral visual field while doing your gaimes or 'gymnastic' activity. Something like the blowing sheets on the clothesline, or the movement of tree branches ans shrubbery, or the family pet racing about or other children racing about?



birongirl -> Re: Higher balance skills (March 6, 2005 3:23:00 PM)

Some other ideas for balance: standing on one foot while reaching (with emphasis on actually bending knee as well) to pick up objects from either a lower surface, the floor or from the therapist (include crossing midline, reaching out laterally, etc); standing on one leg while performing a dynamic upper extremity activity (the 'yoyo-ball' is a great motivator and requires some upper body strength as well); hopping with good form slowly with a stop in between (requires control instead of momentum);

For motor planning: pulling out and setting up/putting away equipment (mats etc); imitating positions/movements; use of mirrors for those with poor body awareness; requiring those who have difficulty staying on task or concentrating to instruct the therapist (verbally) on a skill as they are performing it and the therapist is imitating...

Hope something here is a new idea...good luck!



wsherk -> Re: Higher balance skills (March 30, 2005 6:27:00 PM)

The 12 yr. old I'm working with loves the little toy gun with suction "bullets" that I got him. He'll spend a lot longer in kneel stand or half kneel stand (his challenges at this point) loading and firing the gun at the pamphlets I set up as targets on my desk. Or he and his dad play tug of war - the child is in the position we're working on, and dad has to stand on one foot to make it fair. They try to pull each other over, each holding the end of a rope, and have a great time at it They're ranch people and have no qualms about guns..



tlhpedspt -> Re: Higher balance skills (February 22, 2004 5:23:00 AM)

I don't have alot to add, as I use what you have mentioned. Working on single leg stance I often have the child place one foot on playground size or smaller ball. We have to count or sing to motivate while they maintain the balance. If ball is too hard, I use box or block that is more stable. Can also place bean bag on foot or knee and ask them to stand on other foot while raising the bean bag (again single leg stance). Equilibrium board is a nice higher level balance tool. We do kneeling/halfkneeling/standing, moving to reach for and throw bean bags at target.



CA_SPT -> Re: Higher balance skills (November 22, 2004 8:30:00 PM)

How old is the child? How about throwing and catching a ball or reaching outside of base of support while "surfing" on pillows? Go "rock hopping" across obstacle course made of blocks (with friction pads underneath to prevent slipping). Simon Says, Twister with obstacles placed on some of the circles to force postural control. Obstacle courses with twist and turns for dynamic balance. If you have a portable plastic balance beam or just a stable piece of log, you can bring it and have the child do reaching while keeping feet in tandem on the beam. Just some thoughts.



LucyH -> Re: Higher balance skills (November 23, 2004 7:39:00 AM)

Are you able to simulate the moving environment in the peripheral visual field while doing your gaimes or 'gymnastic' activity. Something like the blowing sheets on the clothesline, or the movement of tree branches ans shrubbery, or the family pet racing about or other children racing about?



birongirl -> Re: Higher balance skills (March 6, 2005 3:23:00 PM)

Some other ideas for balance: standing on one foot while reaching (with emphasis on actually bending knee as well) to pick up objects from either a lower surface, the floor or from the therapist (include crossing midline, reaching out laterally, etc); standing on one leg while performing a dynamic upper extremity activity (the 'yoyo-ball' is a great motivator and requires some upper body strength as well); hopping with good form slowly with a stop in between (requires control instead of momentum);

For motor planning: pulling out and setting up/putting away equipment (mats etc); imitating positions/movements; use of mirrors for those with poor body awareness; requiring those who have difficulty staying on task or concentrating to instruct the therapist (verbally) on a skill as they are performing it and the therapist is imitating...

Hope something here is a new idea...good luck!



wsherk -> Re: Higher balance skills (March 30, 2005 6:27:00 PM)

The 12 yr. old I'm working with loves the little toy gun with suction "bullets" that I got him. He'll spend a lot longer in kneel stand or half kneel stand (his challenges at this point) loading and firing the gun at the pamphlets I set up as targets on my desk. Or he and his dad play tug of war - the child is in the position we're working on, and dad has to stand on one foot to make it fair. They try to pull each other over, each holding the end of a rope, and have a great time at it They're ranch people and have no qualms about guns..



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