What is the "Core?" Generally speaking, this refers to the body, minus the arms and legs. Functional movements depend on a stable core. The major muscles of the core reside in the belly, mid and lower back as well as the hips, shoulders, and the neck.
Children with neuromuscular disorders typically have poor core strength along with decreased overall strength, decreased endurance, and an increased energy cost with movement. Strengthening core muscles can improve postural control and the ability to move the arms and legs against gravity. This can lead to improved function and the ability to engage in meaningful activities with peers.
Exercise for kids needs to have the focus on fun. Here are a few ideas for core strengthening with creative ideas to make it fun.
Superman
Have your child lay on the floor with their arms and legs extended. Then have them lift their arms, head and legs off the floor so they are balancing on their torso. Make it fun by challenging them to fly like Superman as long as they can!
Popcorn
Have your child lay on their back with their arms and legs extended. They then curl up like a popcorn kernel until you tell them to pop. Then they pop their arms and legs out like a piece of popcorn!
Crab Walk
Have your child crab walk across the room or have a race! Place a bean bag or other item on their stomach to ensure that they don’t touch their bottom to the ground. To add another fun component you can do karate kicks while being a crab to make the trunk even stronger!
Wheelbarrow Walk
Hold the child’s legs while they crawl on their arms to pick up toys or get an item in the room.
Children with neuromuscular disorders typically have poor core strength along with decreased overall strength, decreased endurance, and an increased energy cost with movement. Strengthening core muscles can improve postural control and the ability to move the arms and legs against gravity. This can lead to improved function and the ability to engage in meaningful activities with peers.
Exercise for kids needs to have the focus on fun. Here are a few ideas for core strengthening with creative ideas to make it fun.
Superman
Have your child lay on the floor with their arms and legs extended. Then have them lift their arms, head and legs off the floor so they are balancing on their torso. Make it fun by challenging them to fly like Superman as long as they can!
Popcorn
Have your child lay on their back with their arms and legs extended. They then curl up like a popcorn kernel until you tell them to pop. Then they pop their arms and legs out like a piece of popcorn!
Crab Walk
Have your child crab walk across the room or have a race! Place a bean bag or other item on their stomach to ensure that they don’t touch their bottom to the ground. To add another fun component you can do karate kicks while being a crab to make the trunk even stronger!
Wheelbarrow Walk
Hold the child’s legs while they crawl on their arms to pick up toys or get an item in the room.
Yoga Poses
Poses such as the Dolphin Plank, Downward Dog, and Cat-Cow can help increase core strength.
Poses such as the Dolphin Plank, Downward Dog, and Cat-Cow can help increase core strength.
T-Stool for Core Strengthening
Have your child sit on a t-stool while completing desktop activities. This is good for increasing balance and sensory input which helps stimulates the core.
Have your child sit on a t-stool while completing desktop activities. This is good for increasing balance and sensory input which helps stimulates the core.
Reading/Writing/Coloring on Tummy
Having your child lay on their tummy while reading, writing, coloring, or other activities facilitates greater trunk strength. It also assists them with handwriting, so do this as often as you can with your child!
Having your child lay on their tummy while reading, writing, coloring, or other activities facilitates greater trunk strength. It also assists them with handwriting, so do this as often as you can with your child!
© Motor Development Team