February 1, 2024

10 Ways To Use An Exercise Ball To Help Your Child Grow

I am sure many of you have either seen or used an exercise ball before, whether at your child’s therapy appointment or at your own session at the gym! Exercise balls are a simple and easy piece of “equipment” for you and your child to use at home in a variety of ways.

I am sure many of you have either seen or used an exercise ball before, whether at your child’s therapy appointment or at your own session at the gym! Exercise balls are a simple and easy piece of “equipment” for you and your child to use at home in a variety of ways. Exercise balls help to strengthen the muscles; and increase endurance, motor planning, body awareness, and postural control. Exercise balls come in multiple colors and sizes, and really help to challenge balance and multi-tasking of the whole body.

1. Seated at the kitchen table

Have your child sit on an exercise ball during mealtime or homework time; make sure that your child’s feet are flat on the floor, with knees bent to 90 degrees, approximately hip-width apart; and remind your child to keep a tall posture with the shoulders relaxed and down, rather than rounded forward.

2. Seated on ball during television shows or video games

Have your child sit on an exercise ball while attending to a favorite television show/movie or while playing a video game, rather than lounging on the couch. Make sure your child is a reasonable distance from the television and furniture, and has a clear area around the ball in case balance is lost.

3. Standing back to back with a partner:

Have your child work on trunk rotation, visual skills, and timing by standing with a partner with their backs facing towards one another, a few feet apart; work on passing a ball from left to right, and then right to left. The larger the exercise ball, the harder this activity will be, as more upper body and trunk strength will be required.

4. Standing overhead ball reaches

Have your child stand hip-width apart while holding the exercise ball in his/her hands, tapping the exercise ball to the ground directly in front of feet, and then lifting the ball overhead towards the sky. Make sure to engage the abdominals by keeping them tight (e.g. as if someone was going to punch you in the stomach), which will also help to protect the back.

5. Inverted (upside down)

Have your child select a favorite board game, or use beanbags or other items to pick-up, while seated on the exercise ball. Place the game pieces or beanbags behind your child to retrieve. Slowly roll your child forward by holding onto his legs and have him get into an upside down position with head tipped over the exercise ball. Then have your child reach overhead with both arms for the game pieces or beanbags and return to a seated position in a slow and controlled manner, using the abdominals rather than momentum.

6. Prone (on stomach) for nose touches

Have you child lay his stomach over the exercise ball with feet on the floor spread more than shoulder width apart behind the ball and hands placed behind the head; lean forward touching your nose to the exercise ball (or as close as you can get) and then bring yourself back up, focusing on keeping your back straight, making a line with your entire body.

7. Prone (on stomach) for contralateral (opposing) limb extensions

Have your child lay on his stomach over the exercise ball with hands and feet touching the floor; next extend the right arm and left leg while keeping the other two limbs lightly resting on the ground for support; hold for 5-10+ seconds and then switch to left arm and right leg.

8. Supine (on back) for ball passes

Have your child lay down on his back on the floor or on top of a blanket or mat; place the exercise ball between feet, making sure to squeeze the exercise ball tightly with feet and legs and lower legs to floor; next raise legs off floor, above the torso, and grab the ball with hands; lastly lower legs together slowly and reach exercise ball overhead with arms. Do as many reps as possible in a slow and controlled pattern.

9. Supine (on back) for hip bridges

Have your child lay down on his back on the floor or on top of a blanket or mat; place heels on top of the exercise ball, with arms on the floor next to torso; next, raise hips and torso off of the floor and either hold as a static position for approximately 5-10+ seconds, or do repetitions by lowering the hips about an inch or two above the floor and then back to the sky again.

10. 4 point position (hands/knees) for child’s pose stretch

Have your child get into a hands and knees (puppy dog) position on the floor with the exercise ball directly in front of body; next lower hips/bottom towards heels and place arms on top of exercise ball to stretch forward overhead on the floor while lowering the head towards the floor as well.

Download our Guide for Families

We know that choosing a local ABA facility can be a hard decision. We’ve created an informational guide to help you understand more about the questions you should be asking while meeting with different providers.

Although we talk about our services here, our highest goal is for you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable about picking a provider that is the best fit for your needs. You are making a decision that will impact the entire trajectory of your child’s life!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
The cover of the NSPT Guide for Families, which helps families to figure out the questions to ask when picking an ABA provider.

Continue Reading

Testimonials

Success looks different for every child... But we bet we have a story that matches your child's needs. Like James, who started with us as non-speaking and lacking the ability to initiate and maintain social interactions. Today, he can speak complete sentences, clearly state his needs, and navigate social interactions with his friends!

Our infant daughter was in physical therapy with Anna Zahn for about five months.  Anna was consistent, patient, and wonderful with our daughter.  Anna was also clear in her communications with us as parents which helped us understand our daughter's progress and needs, as well as how we could help our daughter at home.  While we are proud that our daughter graduated PT, we will miss Anna's warmth and kindness.

Emily

I love this place! Chista is an amazing person, so sweet and kind and very professional in her work. All staff are very kind with children. I feel happy to find this place for my daughter. Thank you!!!

Maria Di Rita

I cannot say enough nice things about the staff! My son worked with Khadija as his ABA therapist and is finishing up this week with his OT, Sabrina. They were really instrumental in helping us navigate a new diagnosis. Both were so easy to approach with questions. From Leeann at the front desk to the RBTs (Alex, Rabbia, Molly, and many others), we always felt so welcomed. It seems like the staff genuinely enjoy their jobs, consistently offering feedback and suggestions on how to help my son.

Jennifer Peyer

We have been working with the amazing team at NSPT for many years. They have been essential in understanding and supporting our child. I recommend their services to anyone looking for their specific type of support.Posted to

Monica Terése Carranza

They are so sweet and kinds persons with professionalism and really worried about the kids and how help they to get new skills and moving forward with knowledge.

Alejandra M.

NSPT is fantastic! All of the staff are wonderful, accomodating, and make you feel welcome and comfortable. Alan is fantastic - he has helped our family tremendously and has such patience and purpose in everything he does.

Alex Ehrhardt

North Shore Pediatric Therapy has been amazing.  They have done a great job adjusting to the specific needs of my autistic child.

Matt Nakanishi

My 12 yr old son has a lovely support team in Robert (Social Work) and Lindsay (OT)! He gains so much from his sessions & I gain so much from the communication and brainstorming! Thanks!

Jennie Meyer

Contact us to get started

  • 1
    Submit an inquiry form
    Completing this secure form helps us understand how we can serve you.
  • 2
    We'll reach out to you!
    One of our dedicated team members will connect with you to discuss services, your insurance benefits, and your family’s needs.
  • 3
    Paperwork & insurance
    We'll review and confirm your insurance benefits, and we'll work with you to gather additional paperwork required and discuss financial expectations based on insurance.
  • 4
    Treatment personalization
    We'll schedule an assessment date for your child with one of our clinicians. This assessment will serve as the basis for your child’s personalized treatment plan. After, we'll meet to discuss recommendations and your child’s treatment plan and start date.
  • 5
    Start making progress!
    We will greet and welcome your child to our warm and supportive environment where our staff will provide 1-on-1 care to meet our treatment goals.