Special Education Services
Plano Independent School District

Physical Therapy Suggestions

Often a child who is physically slow or clumsy can function in the classroom and school building well enough that he does not need PT intervention in order to benefit from instruction.  However, his parents or teachers may understandably be concerned about his gross motor development.   This student may benefit from exposure to gross motor experiences in a non-competitive atmosphere.  Soccer, swimming lessons, karate lessons, gymnastic lessons, dance lessons, or even long walks and hikes can be of great benefit.  Competitive sports such as football, softball and tennis may be discouraging to some children.

Simply giving  a child access to a playground is not enough.  The physically slower or clumsy child will usually not attempt activities he cannot perform well and therefore may  not progress beyond his current functioning level. Often this student  must have a structured gross motor activity presented on a regular basis in order to make progress.  The Plano Parks and Recreation Department offers a number of opportunities for gross motor growth in a non-competitive atmosphere.



FOUR ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE A CHILD'S GROSS MOTOR SKILLS: 

1. Have your child lay on his tummy, propped on his elbows for 20 to 30 minutes each day, to watch television or listen
to a story.  This may increase the back and shoulder strength that is necessary for gross and fine motor development.

2. Have your child jump up from the floor ten times each day.  This improves all-over body strength and awareness.  Jumping down from an eight-inch or higher step ten times is also effective. 

3. Encourage your child to sit on a basketball and practice his sitting balance. Encourage him to walk along narrow
objects such as curbs or steps.  Challenge him to stand on one foot for as long as possible.  Place a short board on
top of a soup can and have the child stand on it and rock back and forth.  Practice some kind of balance activity every
day.

4.  Encourage your child to hang upside down.  This can be done over the arm of the couch,  on a bar at the playground,
or in Daddy's arms.  Routines such as "bend and touch the floor, stretch and touch the sky"  are useful.  This activity stimulates the child's ability to understand the position of his body in space. 

Physical Therapy Home Page, Eligibility, Services, Note to Parents