Movement and coordination
Doing physical activities as a whole family can create healthy habits throughout your child’s life.
Children rely on developing good balance to take part in different sports and games. They also need good balance for a variety of independent daily activities such as dressing, eating, going to the toilet.
Balance skills are used for head control, walking forwards in a straight line, adjusting movements and moving against gravity.
Taking part in activities to help strengthen balance offers positives for all kids , especially those a little slower to reach their milestones, those that tire quickly or avoid physical activity.
There are lots of ways to be active, have fun and keep healthy, whilst making sure that you can help your child reach their potential, regardless of any diagnosis or needs.
You could create obstacle courses throughout your home or garden, go for a fast walk, have relay races outside, jump on a trampoline, or have a dance party in the lounge!
Exercises to build strength
This video from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust providers a range of simple exercises your child can do to help them become stronger.
Balance activity sheet
Activities to help your child develop their static and dynamic balance. Static balance is the ability to maintain your balance when stationary and dynamic balance is the ability to maintain your balance when mobile.
Kids’ sports and activities
This advice from the NHS focuses on sports and active hobbies which are a great way to get moving. You can start with a simple quiz to find out what sports and activities you should try followed by ideas and activities.
NHS Fitness Studio
Free fitness and exercise videos ranging from 10 to 45 minutes and including Pilate’s, yoga and other strengthening exercises.
10 Minute Shake Ups
Fun games and activities inspired by Disney characters to encourage children to move and ‘Shake it Up’.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence.
Joe Wicks fitness sessions
A huge library of free fitness sessions videos for kids of all ages.
Coordination difficulties
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
DCD is thought to be around 3 or 4 times more common in boys than girls, and the condition sometimes runs in families.
Useful links
Active Alliance
Cerebral Palsy Sport
Disability football
Frame football
Parasport
Scope