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Motor skills are the movements that we make, anything from writing or painting to throwing a ball or walking.  When we talk about gross motor skills, we are usually talking about the more complex skills that include underlying skills of balance and coordination. These are the skills we see we often times see at the playground; like jumping, running, sliding, hopping, and climbing. Whereas, fine motor skills have to do with our fingers and this usually coordinates with our eyes (drawing, sewing, surgery, cutting with scissors, bow and arrow, fishing, etc).

 

When we evaluate a child at an older age, we would look to see how well the child is walking, jumping, running and catching a ball. We might look at how well the child uses his dominant arm and leg compared to the non-dominant arm and leg. Older children should have a clear preference for their right or left arm as well as a clear preference for their right or left leg.

                                                                                       

Fine and gross motor skills are enhanced at all ages by encouraging your child to move. At a young age a therapist  can help you determine how to support your child and encourage them to increased freedom of movement. At an older age, encouraging movement can not only be fun but it can be accomplished through games.  Balance boards are a great device to introduce to children at any age to help with balance, coordination, fine and gross motor skills.

Today I was brainstorming with one of my coworkers and friend about how to incorporate the balance board in the classroom. We've both been teaching for over 25 years combined and are always ready to try something new...especially in this day in age, where kids in the classroom seem like a box of 64 crayons, versus the standard box of 8 back in the day.  So, here's what we were thinking:

A lot of kids have a difficult time focusing, without moving.  As you may have seen or heard, moving around in the classroom is disruptive, especially when the students are required to be seated.  So, with the balance board, a child can sit on the balance board, and still move around from side to side (and get a core workout while doing so).  This is different from sitting on a balance ball, as the board won't roll away.  I think cushions would also work, but have a somewhat different effect.

So, guess what?  I tried it the next day and it was awesome.  A few of the kids were given balance boards.  When we were having a discussion, they were rocking side to side on their balance boards, but not disrupting class.  Nobody cared that they were rocking, because they were so quiet. They even participated in the discussion and lesson for a whole hour.  The focus and balance was amazing. 

 

1) Instead of the floor, use the balance board to do your plank, sit-ups, or push-ups.

2) Tai Chi or Karate moves are ideal for the balance board.  Watch how your focus improves dramatically.

3) Getting ready to hit the slopes on your snowboard or ride some waves on your surfboard?  Do your stretching on the balance board for extra strengthening and conditioning.

4) Calling all skateboarders who need a little help with balance....try a few 360 spins on this board and see how you compare.

5) Yoga is taken to the next level on the balance board.

6) If you are practicing your swing with the baseball bat, this is a great board to stand on for agility and balance.

7) Basketball players can throw in a curve ball by dribbling on the board.

8) Feeling lazy, but want to work out  your core for a few minutes? Just sit on the balance board and rock side to side.  You'll feel the burn without knocking you off your rocker.

9) Meditate-just sit and relax on  your balance board.  Imagine you are on top of the world and enjoy the moment.

10) If you are feeling a bit ill, lie down on your balance board on your belly.  The coolness of the wood will soothe you.

 

If you can think of anything else that hasn't been mentioned, give it a shot.  What do you have to lose?

 

When you get in a rut with your workout routine, here's a great idea for inspiration. 

1) A favorite book-pick one of your favorite stories and make up a yoga move for each of the characters.  Then, recreate the story through the yoga moves.  Naturally, there are several yoga moves for animals, certain individuals such as dancers and warriors, and objects (such as boats and chairs) that you can look up if you help.

2) A country you would like to visit or a place that you have been-same thing as above..think of the animals you would see on the trip, and what you would do (or what you did, if you are reliving a trip) and then act it out with yoga poses.

3) Jump Rope-they say that jump roping is an excellent activity for your heart, brain, and lungs.  As you know, these three organs are the life support for the rest of your body.  Make a bet with yourself that you can jump rope for 3 minutes without stopping (you can slow down of course).  If you win, give yourself high five-you rock!

4) A visit to the zoo-this is great for kids and adults.  Act out the animals that you would see at the zoo.  Go ahead and run like a cheetah for a couple of seconds, jump like a poison dart frog, and slither around like that anaconda snake.

If you have any more ideas for inspiration, let us know! We need some too sometimes. 

We hear that many great athletes practice yoga.  It's no wonder, since yoga not only makes you stronger physically, but it strengthens you in other ways as well.

1) Breathing-yoga is not just about stretching the body. It's about remembering to breath, which is vital to life.  When I was in Taiwan, I entered a jump-roping contest.  My coach gave me one tip: Don't forget to breath.  I ended up winning the jump rope contest, and I believe it was because I remembered to breath throughout the competition.  Yoga teaches us the right way to breath so that oxygen reaches all of the cells in our bodies and then some.

2) Focus-whatever you do, whether it's playing tennis, swimming, or walking-it's important to be mindful of the moment and focus.  When we do yoga, we learn little tips on how to focus or perhaps un-focus on things that are interfering with the moment.  Yoga teaches mindfulness, and in today's busy world, this skill is becoming more and more important.

3) Strength-yoga requires the muscles to work together.  Because a lot of the moves require isometrics, the body becomes stronger. 

4) Agility and Balance-yoga moves require the body to balance.  Not only will you become more agile, but your body will become more balanced as you work out both sides of the body.  With every stretch, there is a counter stretch.  Yoga encourages everyone to engage the muscles on both sides of the body, whereas other sports may just focus on one side.

Of course there are many other benefits to yoga, but these are just a few that compliment other sports and activities.