Exercise 11: 6 months – 1.5 years : Light sitting challenge

Light sitting challenge

A fun exercise to train sitting stability and strength in the arms. The exercise is aimed at children from about 6 months of age, or children who are now able to sit without support. For this exercise, you need a soft but stable surface and toys the child likes.

Description

Sit the child on a soft but stable mat. Place toys around the child so that the child is enticed to lean forward and to the side. The longer the distance, the more the child’s sitting balance is challenged. By enticing the child with objects at different heights, the ability to sit stably is stimulated but also the strength in the arms. For children who have just learned to sit without support, lighter toys, balloons and soap bubbles may be enough. For children who sit steadily, heavier toys can be used. The exercise can also be made slightly more difficult by holding on to the toy so that the child needs to pull with a little more force.