Exercise 8: 1 year - upwards : Arm gym with sling

Arm gym with sling

A good, simple exercise for training the muscles of the arms. The exercise is aimed at young children from about the age of 1, but can also be used by younger and older individuals where arm movements need to be trained. For this exercise, toys are required and for the weaker child, a piece of material that can be used as a sling.

Description

Place the child on their side on a reasonably soft mat on the floor. Place toys in front of the child at a distance so that the movement is moderately challenging. For the weaker child, who has difficulty in managing the movement, the child’s arm can be placed in a sling. The sling can be a fairly large piece of material in which the child’s arm can rest comfortably. The person who trains the child holds the sling above the child. Encourage the child to reach for the toy and follow the child’s movement. To stimulate movements in children who have difficulty in lifting their arms and legs from the surface, slings can be used that are hung above the child. For the youngest child, a baby gym can be used to attach the slings. For the older child, simple stands can be used such as a clothes rack.