CHILD DEVELOPMENT QUICK TIP: CORE STRENGTHENING EXERCISES FOR KIDS

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We’ve shared quite a few fun core strengthening activities for kids here at The Inspired Treehouse:  Crab Walking, Snake Charmer, and Flying Feet to name a few.  We even came up with a whole list of great core strengthening exercises for kids.  Today, we have another exercise that is used frequently in therapy gyms.  It’s AWESOME for core strengthening and fun too!  I think adults could even get in on the action (and benefits) of this one!  Ladies and gentlemen…The Crab Crossover!

What you’ll need:

-beanbags (or stuffed animals or coins or stickers — whatever is motivating!)

-a bucket or other container

Assume the crab walk position (sitting on the floor with your hands on the floor behind you and feet flat on the floor).  Lift your bottom up off of the floor and hold.  I know, this is tricky, but just wait!!  Now, try to lift your right hand off of the floor, grabbing a beanbag, and slam dunking it in the bucket on your left side!  WHEW!!!!!  So hard, but so worth it.  The abdominals, back stabilizers, and gluteals are all working so, so hard.

**PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS NOT HOLDING THEIR BREATH!  BREATH HOLDING IS COMPENSATION — IF THEY ARE HOLDING THEIR BREATH, THEY ARE NOT WORKING THE IMPORTANT MUSCLES TARGETED IN THIS EXERCISE!

Don’t forget to try it on both sides!  And, if that’s too easy….lift a foot while you are dunking those beanbags!