Re: [secretin-discussion] pumping legs on swing

[Guest guest]

Trina,

Our son is also 6, and is just getting these skills. Believe it or not, the

occupational therapist actually had us focus on his ARMS, not his legs.

If you really stop and think about what you are doing with your body, it

actually involves more of the upper body than the lower, although we all

think about it as coming mostly from the legs. But the upper body has to

lean back and move forward as well.

The OT had Kenny on one of those big wooden therapy swings, and really

emphasized the pushing and pulling with the arms.

At home, I would swing beside him, and when the swing went back and up, I'd

tell him to " pump " .

It took a long time (not quite as long as the year it took holding onto his

feet on his bicycle pedals!) but he finally has it.

Another thing you can do to encourage him is to stand in front, hold your

hands up, and say " get my hands " . I also had him reach his legs for the

leaves on the tree.

Good luck! And be patient. It's really a very difficult skill to learn.

cindy.p@...

[secretin-discussion] pumping legs on swing

> Hi all,

>

> My son is 6 and has the gross motor skills of a three year old when it

comes

> to playground skills. We have been trying to get him to pump his legs on

> the swing forever it seems, to no avail. First we focused on his legs and

> having him extend out, then back in, ..... Now we are trying to focus

on

> the arms and have him " pull back " ..... He still just doesn't get it.

> What SD's are best? Any other suggestions?

>

> Trina

>

>

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