Brachial Plexus Play Therapy Exercises Fun Activities to Promote Range of Motion and Development These exercises are not meant to be taken as medical advice. These are simply suggestions of what types of things may help. Consult your doctor before using these, and follow your doctor's restrictions and instructions. These activities are mainly geared towards 3-6 year olds. General Body Activities Hand Coordination Activities Activities for Every day Living Guidelines for Activities Back to UBPN Home General Body Activites Play Simon Says Lie on floor and pretend to make angels Lie on your tummy on the floor while playing Throw a beach ball overhead Ride a tricycle or bicycle Paste pictures high on a wall Play in swimming pool Walk in water frontwards and backwards Climb up slide steps and slide down Play with Nerf balls such as a basketball Climb on play equipment Play with large balls, balloons, or bubbles Play with housekeeping toys Play with pom-poms Stack empty boxes, i.e. shoe boxes Circle Games Play Wheelbarrel Any activity that has the child reaching Any activity that has the child putting pressure on the arm/hand Top of Page Hand Coordination Fold paper napkins Imitate/draw basic shapes Make bubbles in water with hands Make hand impressions in Play Doh Roll Play Doh to make balls and snakes Cut with scissors Play with toy tools Paste Paint Write on chalkboard Draw Pictures on the bath wall with soap or bath crayons Play with sewing cards Play in water with toys in sink or tub Play with wooden puzzles Play with large Lego's, blocks, pegs, and pegboard games String beads Roll cookie dough with rolling pin Play in sand Throw "kush" ball Lincoln Logs Light Bright peg game Play with dominos Pick up and sort small objects (cheerios, rasins, buttons) Top of Page Activities for Daily Living Toileting - Try to get independence with timeliness, clothing management, wiping self with toilet paper Hygiene - Wash and dry hand and face. Help with bathing and drying. Dressing - Dress/undress completely including most fastenings, i.e. buttons, snaps, zippers, lacing, tying, etc. Chores - Simple helping chores such as setting the table, pick up toys, fold towels, clean room, dust furniture. Top of Page Guidelines Try to participate in these or other specific exercise activites 2 times/day for 15-30 minutes. Try to focus on the child using the affected arm instead of stronger arm with activites, but don't force. Allow enough time to complete activity, especially when child is attempting self-care activities. Focus on child's abilities not on the child's inabilities. Be aware that your child will compensate and avoid using joint because of pain and stiffness. Encourage use and movement of all joint especially the involved joints. Break automatic reaction of doing things for the child when they are having difficulty or discomfort. Encourage consistent daily routine and participation in activities even if child is uncomforatble. Reward child when they attempt an activity, or self initiates, (verbal praise, special treat) Be careful not to "over do it" but provide challenging and fun activities. Try to incorporate "therapy" into daily activites so it does not appear to be "work" or "therapy" The most important thing is to do it everyday, because even if you have a therapist once a week, or month, only daily activites and exercises will help. Top of Page Back to UBPN Home © Copyright 2005, United Brachial Plexus Ne twork, Inc. All Rights Reserved The appearance of information on this UBPN we bsite does not imply endorsement by UBPN or its Board of Directors. Individuals need to consult with trusted clinicians to determine the appropriateness of prod ucts or services for their specific needs