Gross Motor Activities
All children benefit from active movement of the large muscles in the arms, legs, and trunk. Exercise of these muscles promotes strength, endurance, posture, balance, and coordination. Participation in gym class and eventual recreation activities are highly dependent on gross motor skills. Children with Autism may be reluctant to practice these activities, especially if the underlying sensory foundation skills are weak. They benefit from routine and easily practiced activities. We have included our favourite gross motor activities.
♤ Walks and hikes
◇ Running, skipping, and hopping
♧ Dancing, marching to music
♡ Playing ball hockey, soccer, or basketball
♤ Jumping on a mini-trampoline or trampoline.
◇ Walking on stilts (cans with skipping rope handles) or “big feet”
♧ Tumbling and wrestling
♡ Hide-and-seek
♤ Playing on the playground
◇ Bowling
♧ Ice skating
♡ Bike riding or trike riding
♤ Tether ball
◇ T-ball
♧ Hopscotch
♡ Hoop games
♤ Racquet Sports
◇ Obstacle courses
♧ Frisbee catch and throw games
♡ Track and field
♤ Big ball games
◇ Swimming
♧ Scooter board.
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