Benefits of Scooter Boards
Scooter boards are a popular tool in occupational therapy programs for children and they offer many benefits. They are small, flat boards with wheels that children can sit or lie on and propel themselves with their hands or feet. Using scooter boards offers numerous benefits that help children develop important skills. Let’s explore the key benefits of scooter boards in occupational therapy.
Improving Gross Motor Skills
- Strengthening Muscles: Propelling themselves on a scooter board requires children to use their arms, legs, and core muscles. This activity helps strengthen these muscles, which is important for overall physical development.
- Enhancing Coordination: Manoeuvring a scooter board helps children improve their hand-eye coordination and bilateral coordination. They learn to use both sides of their body together effectively, which is essential for many daily activities.
- Building Endurance: Using a scooter board can be a fun way for children to build endurance. As they play and move around, they engage in physical activity that helps improve their stamina and energy levels.
Promoting Fine Motor Skills
- Hand Strength and Dexterity: Pushing themselves on a scooter board helps children develop strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers. This is crucial for tasks like writing, drawing, and using scissors.
- Grasp and Release: Holding onto the edges of the scooter board and letting go requires precise hand movements. This practice enhances a child’s ability to grasp and release objects, which is important for fine motor control.
Enhancing Sensory Processing
- Proprioceptive Input: Scooter boards provide deep pressure input to a child’s muscles and joints, which helps improve their sense of body awareness. This proprioceptive input is calming and can help children feel more grounded and in control of their movements.
- Vestibular Stimulation: Moving on a scooter board stimulates the vestibular system, which helps with balance and spatial orientation. This stimulation is important for children to understand how their bodies move in space.
Supporting Cognitive Development
- Problem-Solving Skills: Navigating around obstacles and figuring out how to move in different directions on a scooter board helps children develop problem-solving skills. They learn to plan and execute their movements effectively.
- Attention and Focus: Using a scooter board requires children to concentrate on their movements and surroundings. This activity helps improve their attention span and ability to focus on tasks.
Promoting Social Skills
- Taking Turns: When children use scooter boards in group settings, they learn to take turns and share. This practice helps develop important social skills like patience and cooperation.
- Playing Games: Occupational therapists often incorporate games and activities with scooter boards that encourage teamwork. Children learn to communicate and work together, which enhances their social interactions.
Boosting Confidence and Independence
- Sense of Achievement: Successfully navigating a scooter board and completing tasks gives children a sense of achievement. This boosts their confidence and encourages them to try new activities.
- Independence: As children become more skilled at using a scooter board, they gain a sense of independence. They learn that they can move and play on their own, which fosters self-reliance and autonomy.
Conclusion
Scooter boards are a versatile and effective tool in occupational therapy programs for children. They help improve gross and fine motor skills, enhance sensory processing, support cognitive development, promote social skills, and boost confidence and independence. By incorporating scooter boards into therapy sessions, occupational therapists can provide children with a fun and engaging way to develop essential skills. These benefits contribute to a child’s overall growth and help them succeed in their daily activities and interactions.
We’re here to support you
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Our clinics are not just a space for therapy – it’s a place where children can discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
By combining innovative therapy techniques with a stimulating and supportive environment, we’re proud to offer a holistic approach to paediatric therapy and early intervention that addresses the unique needs of each child we support.
Reach out for support
If you’re concerned about your child’s development or want to learn more about how Occupational Therapy can help your child’s self care skills, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy is here to help. We have clinics in Bondi Junction and Mascot – in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs.
Call us on (02) 80657837 or email. You can book a free 30 minute phone call with us to discuss how we can support your child’s unique journey
