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In every contagious laugh, in every creative movement and in every moment of unbridled imagination, neural connections, social skills and cognitive competencies are forged that will shape future leaders, innovators and dreamers.
During a motivating game that we play together, we can focus on the following skills.
Eye contact
Eye contact is important to indicate active listening. It is also an essential component of paying attention to instructions. Eye contact is something that many children need help with, and learning with a partner may be easier for some children.
One way to facilitate eye contact is to place objects at eye level, which directs the child's gaze to our partner's eyes.
Gross motor skills
Improving gross motor skills, such as jumping and running, increases strength, balance and coordination.
This helps children participate in a variety of physical activities and navigate their environment with confidence.
Fine motor skills
Games that involve precise hand movements, such as stacking blocks or using tongs, improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
This allows children to perform tasks such as writing, dressing and feeding themselves more independently.
Balance and stability
Games that challenge balance, such as walking on a balance beam or balancing on one foot, strengthen core muscles and improve postural control.
This helps maintain stability during activities and reduces the risk of falls.
Endurance and cardiovascular health
Active games that involve continuous movement, such as jumping rope or dancing, improve endurance and cardiovascular health.
This allows children to participate in longer duration physical activities without becoming fatigued.
Spatial awareness
Games that involve movement in different directions or around obstacles improve spatial awareness.
Children develop a better sense of their body in relation to their environment, which leads to better motor planning and coordination.
Motor planning and sequencing
Games that involve multi-step actions or following a sequence test motor planning and sequencing skills.
Children learn to organize their movements coherently, allowing them to perform complex tasks and activities.
Flexibility and range of motion
Incorporating stretching exercises into games improves flexibility and increases the range of motion of joints and muscles.
This improves overall mobility and reduces the risk of injury.
Problem solving skills
Games with problem-solving elements, such as puzzles or mazes, stimulate cognitive development and critical thinking.
Children learn to strategize and find solutions, improving their problem-solving skills.
Social interaction and communication
Group games encourage social interaction, cooperation and communication among peers.
Children practice turn-taking and effective expression, fostering valuable social skills.
Emotional regulation
Participating in fun activities during play helps children manage emotions and reduce anxiety.
This promotes emotional well-being and a positive attitude towards therapy.
Sensory integration
Games that incorporate sensory elements, such as tactile or proprioceptive experiences, promote sensory integration and processing.
This helps children better understand and respond to sensory stimuli in their environment.
Functional skills
Integrating functional tasks into play, such as reaching for objects or practicing dressing skills, improves children's independence in everyday activities.
This improves their overall functional abilities and builds self-confidence.
By focusing on these specific skills through play, we create a dynamic and enjoyable therapeutic experience for children, fostering growth in several areas of development.
Play-based physical therapy not only improves physical abilities, but also fosters cognitive, emotional and social well-being, supporting each child’s unique journey toward achieving their full potential.
RESOURCES
Evidence-based articles.
1. The importance of play during hospitalization in children. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4733554/
2. Healthy play, better coping: The importance of play for children's development in health and illness
3. The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Young Children's Development publications.aap.org
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