Things to do to strengthen toddler's core muscles

[happygilmore]

Hoping others have some tips to share!

My DD has had trouble learning to walk, partly due to her being hyperflexible and partly because of weak core muscles. Shoes have helped the hyperflexibility and lots of reaching/stretching got her walking in the end (we saw a paediatric physio when she was younger who recommended this).

She's now just turned 2 and still struggling a bit. We're waiting for physio but in the meantime I'm trying to think of things I can do that will help her, the stretching and reaching for things seems a little young for her, but doing sit ups seems far too old! If anyone has any experiences to share I'd be really grateful.

There were days when I literally carried dd2 to the shoe store for kickers when she had outgrown her piedros... Boots made such a difference to her ability to stay upright!

Just looking on the piedros website, they look good (if a bit pricey!). She does have some startrite boots that helped, but I wonder if they might be good too. Trying to think how to describe it, her ankles wobble and turn in a bit. They did make a big difference in getting her walking, it never would've happened I don't think without it.

Physio also suggested hula hoop but DD won't entertain it, she won't walk holding something unless she wants to, if that makes sense.

madwoman you are a font of knowledge, wished I'd asked about this before!

thanks afternoons, another good tip. Will get her looking less like a drunk, 3 foot John Wayne one of these days!

Ds1 got his piedro boots free on the NHS via the physio. Ds1's ankles still roll down towards the floor, but he is now fine with Sohlis (inserts for his shoes that deal with this tendency) rather than needing piedros. You can also have these "prescribed" by the physio. He tried for a couple of years just with supportive boots and shoes from mainstream shops, but would complain a lot about tired legs and had a very flat run. The inserts brought a bit of a spring back to his step and seem to enable him to keep walking for longer before he starts complaining.

Thanks rabbitstew, you're also clearly a few years down the road on this than me! It's nice to hear from others who know what I'm talking about, most other people I meet just maintain I'm over worrying or mad.

Yy, deffo don't pay for them. Ask physio to order if nec.

You could do the holding thing by stealth and take her to toys r us and buy her a hideous pink handbag? Or pick one up in a charity shop?

My DS2 physio said to do table top activity kneeling in front of a chair or coffee table instead as that works the core and also ride-on toys without pedals. We also have a trampoline and have just started horse riding. It takes a while but you'll get there :)

happygilmore, if piedro boots are appriopiate then you will get them free on the NHS. Also there are different types of boots and the physio will know what to prescribe.

kneel walking - getting her to walk forwards and backwards etc whilst on her knees - you hold her hands or get her to push something along - is also a great core exercise and are wheelbarrows - start holding her hips and then progress to knees etc!

Playing different types of walking - ie walk/dance on tip toes- outer borders of feet etc - pick an animal and pretend to be that animal - hop like a kangaroo- stand on one leg like a falmengo crawl like a spider etc good for core and foot/ankle muscles

put cushions and pillows and duvets on the floor - make an obstaclle course

supervised climbing up and down stairs

balance on the gym ball - sitting and bouncing, (you sit behind them and have ball in between your knees - get them to try do a jigsaw etc while sitting on ball. wheel barrow games over the ball.

swimming and climbing - soft play centre - great too

Be careful re the piedro boots - they are prescriber for children and measured specially - and =if used incorrectly can do more harm than good and we re moving away from giving them the children too readily.