These core strength red flags will help you identify when it’s time to start working on core strengthening exercises for kids or when to get help from a therapist to support the development of the core muscles.
If you’ve been following along with The Inspired Treehouse for awhile, you have probably read some of our posts about core strength for kids. To some people, the concept of working on core muscles with kids may seem a little crazy.
Core muscles? Core strengthening? For children?? What the heck are they talking about? Why can’t we just let kids be kids?
Rest assured, we’re not talking about doing workouts with your kids until they have ripped, six-pack abs. That’s not the idea here. What we are talking about is giving kids a solid foundation to build on for the development of every other gross motor skill under the sun. And that foundation just happens to be the core muscles.
The easiest way to illustrate how important core strength is for kids is as kids progress through developmental milestones is to discuss what it looks like when kids have weak core muscles. Here are some of the most common tell-tale signs that a child needs to work on core strengthening.
Core Strength Red Flags for Kids
1 || Slumping while standing or sitting in a chair
2 || Leaning head on one hand while writing or reading
3 || Leaning on desk while writing or reading
4 || Leaning on furniture or other people in standing
5 || Avoiding gross motor games and activities (playground, sports)
6 || Fidgeting in seat and having difficulty sitting still/paying attention
7 || Difficulty with fine motor control and accuracy (handwriting, cutting with scissors)
8 || Difficulty with mobility skills: rolling, crawling, cruising, walking
9 || Difficulty transitioning from one position to another (from lying down to sitting, from sitting to standing, from kneeling to standing)
10 || Difficulty with balance challenges (balance beam, jumping, stairs)
11 || Difficulty with maintaining upright posture when sitting unsupported (sitting on the floor)
12 || Difficulty with stabilizing the body during dressing and self care tasks (putting on pants/shoes/socks)
13 || Frequently sitting in a w-sitting position during play
14 || Difficulty with endurance for motor tasks
15 || Difficulty with bilateral coordination
As pediatric therapists, we would argue that having strong core muscles is one of the most important underlying factors for healthy motor development in kids.
More Resources for Building Core Muscles With Kids
Core Strengthening Through Everyday Play
The Easiest Core Strengthening Exercises for Kids
Fun Core Exercises from OT Mom Learning Activities
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In your opinion,
If you know there is no carryover of the activities outside of therapy, will I be able to make a difference in a student’s core strength during the 2 sessions a week that I have them?
I would like to know the same. What is the best way to help kids develop core strength if we only see them for a short time once a week?
I always sent home packets for the parents with things they could be doing at home through the week or over the summer. Maybe make up some activity cards that they can take home and do at home with a parent?
It’s time for therapists to update their understanding of core/central stability. This is a neuromuscular recruitment issue, not a strength issue http://heartspacept.com/blog/a-new-operating-system/
I agree.👍We need to develop an understanding of an underlying immaturity of the central nervous system.
Sharmeen
thank you for those important notes! i’m certainly going to pay more attention now, and begin some of my slp sessions by exercising those muscles.
Ok, as a podiatrist, I would also point out that several of these can be associated with poor arch support in the feet, too. Some children can benefit from braces, some inserts, etc. However, pediatricians often tell parents that foot issues correct themselves. While this can be true, it more often “corrects” itself at the detriment to other joints (hips!) and can lead to lifelong issues with mobility. I would definitely suguest that parents reading this post check with a specialist (not just a pediatrician) if they suspect their child might have an issue such as this. Both your core and your foot strength can be addressed if caught early enough and before the body learns to compensate in other ways!