Core strength is very important for children’s development. It is the development of the torso muscles that stabilise, align, and move the trunk of the body. Poor core strength can cause poor posture which can also affect gross motor and fine motor skills. Building a strong core is like building a strong foundation for your child.
How does core strength develop?
Core strength development starts as an infant. Ever wonder why “tummy time” is so important? When an infant has an opportunity to lie on his tummy, he learns to lift his head which helps to strengthen the neck and upper back muscles. This will help the infant to begin supporting the weight of his own head and to be able to look around in response to sounds. It will also prepare the infant for such developmental milestones such as crawling, rolling over, and sitting up independently.
What does core strength help you do?
The ability to balance, perform co-ordinated movements, sit up straight, sits relatively still in a chair, write with a pencil, use scissors or jump and run is pretty hard if you don’t have a strong core. For school aged children, the best way to develop a strong core is through good old fashioned outdoor play! Children need daily opportunities to run, jump, climb, crawl and explore in an unstructured environment.
Why do so many children have weak core muscles these days?
Our Occupational Therapists find that more and more kids are having difficulty with posture and overall strength. This could be due to a number of reasons including:
- An increase in the number of children who have developmental delays
- Children spending more time sitting in the classroom, rather then being physically active
- Children spending a lot more time on electronic devices rather than playing with their friends in the backyard.
- The core muscles are the muscles in the abdomen, back and pelvis. The key to strengthening these muscles is to use them and have fun while you do it. The Occupational Therapists in our Bondi Junction clinic are able to engage your cild in great activities so that they can develop strength in their core. When your child develops strength in their core, they will find it easier to:
- balance
- perform co-ordinated movements
- sit up straight
- sits relatively still in a chair
- write with a pencil
- use scissors
- jump and run
- play with their friends
At our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics, our Occupational Therapists are very aware of the fact that decreased core strength often leads to other issues such as W sitting and delayed gross and fine motor development.
If you are concerned that your child’s core strength, then call our Occupational Therapists at our Bondi Junction or Mascot clinic. We are in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and can be reached on (02) 8065787 or email us. Our Occupational Therapists can talk to you about your concerns. They can book your child in for an assessment and help them develop better core strength.
