All of the 4 year old preschoolers, kindergarteners, and many students in first and second grade are familiar with animal walks from their OT sessions with me. We typically do these at the beginning of our session for the following reasons; 1) it's movement and the students were likely just sitting (blood pools in the hips when sitting and movement helps the blood get back to the brain for learning) 2) it gives the students sensory input to the joints for a calming sensation 3) it's strengthens the core, shoulders, and hands which is necessary for functional tasks especially handwriting 4) the movements work on eye/hand coordination and motor planning which is essential for smaller motor tasks such as handwriting. Please watch the You Tube videos for instructions on how to help your children do these animal walks. You will see the seal walk is typically the most difficult. Also, many preschoolers will not yet be able to do the crab walk, so don't worry if your child is greatly struggling with that one. I have been doing these at home with my kids before they are sitting at the table or sitting to listen to me read. It gives them some of that input so that they last for a 10 minute academic activity.
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AuthorLeAnn Wald Archives
May 2020
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