Coventry Childrens and Young Persons Occupational Therapy Service
POSTURAL CONTROL EXERCISES
DESCRIPTION
The aim of these activities is to
improve postural control. This will
provide a stable base of support that
is needed to facilitate balance and
hand function/fine motor skills.
The following activities are
recommended to facilitate
improvements in flexion/extension of
the body against gravity and
pelvic/shoulder control.
ACTIVITY IDEAS
Aeroplane Position
Pretending to be superman or
superwoman!
Lift upper body, arms and legs off
the ground whilst lying on
stomach. As a rule: 4-6 year olds
aim to hold for 10 seconds. 7+
years aim to hold for 20 60
seconds
Postural control exercises
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust
Work towards keeping legs
straight and thighs slightly off
the floor.
Work towards keeping arms
straight and palms facing
forwards.
Chest is slightly off the floor but
avoid bottoms being in the air
If it is difficult to sustain both
arms and legs, try doing arms and
legs separately
Doing activities lying on the
stomach and propping on arms
also helps develop this skill (e.g.
while reading, drawing or watching
TV)
4 Point Kneeling
Weight bearing through all limbs
in a crawling position.
Lift right arm straight out and
hold this position (4-6 yr olds =
hold for 10 seconds, 7+ yr olds=
hold for 20-30 seconds)
Do the same with the other arm.
Repeat this with lifting one leg
and counting and then the other
leg.
When strong enough, encourage
to lift alternate leg and arm
together
Play games in this position e.g.
reaching out to place or throw
bean bags into a bucket, jigsaws,
reading etc
 Coventry Childrens and Young Persons Occupational Therapy Service
Upright Kneeling
On both knees (do not sit back on
your bottom) play ball games
between partners or in a circle
group e.g. catch, throw into
bucket/box in middle (ball or
beanbag).
Facing a partner use straight
arms, palm to palm, and push each
other to see who falls over first.
Get up/down from the floor via a
kneel without using hands or
knees. Do it on each leg 10 times
Bridging
Lifting your bottom up from the
floor whilst lying on your back
with hands placed by your side.
Lift and hold 10 times (4-6yr olds
hold for 10 seconds, 7+yr olds
hold for 20-30 seconds)
You can then roll a ball under and
count how many times it goes
back and forth.
Postural control exercises
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust
Crab walk around the room; kick a
ball if you can.
Curling into a Ball
Cross arms across your chest
then bend your knees up towards
your chest (dont use your hands
to hold your knees up). Now lift
your head up and curl into a ball.
Hold this position (4-6yrs up to
10-15 seconds, 7+yrs up to 20-30
seconds)
Heel-Toe Walking
Walk along a line, placing one foot
in front of the other. Make sure
your heel touches the tip of the
toe of your other foot (like dolly
steps). This could be done as part
of a group game/obstacle course.
Foot should be straight not
turned out.
Jumping
Jump, feet together, into
hoops/little mats
Jump forwards, sideways, and
backwards; holding a ball in hands,
in/out of hoops or on/off mats.
Jump and clap sequence or jump
and hop sequence, or any other
sequences of movement you can
think of.