How to Use Chores to Build Your Child's Core Muscles

Core muscles are the muscles at the center of the abdomen and running through the core of the body. These muscles help to control so many of our basic muscular functions, from posture to balance to fine motor skills. Although experts split motor skills into two basic groups--gross motor skills and fine motor skills--the core muscles actually help to support both. Without a strong core, good posture is difficult, and so is good handwriting. Children with weak core muscles often need highly specialized exercises to strengthen core muscles. Just getting "exercise" isn't enough. Running, for instance, can tire a child but not help to build and develop core muscles--but riding a bike, climbing a tree, or swimming can. Occupational therapists who work with children and parents recommended specific exercises, but also everyday activities that strengthen core muscles. Learn how to use chores to build your child's core muscles and help your child to gain confidence and mastery skills.

Things You'll Need

• Grocery bags
• Car doors
• Vacuum cleaner
• Wheelbarrow

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Instructions

• 1

  Make your child carry all grocery bags into the house. Even a child as young as 3 can manage most bags. If you're worried about your child having poor coordination and breaking highly fragile items, such as a carton of eggs, remove those items from the bags and have your child take the remaining items into the house. Carrying grocery bags helps to build core muscles.

• 2

  Ask your child to put all groceries away. Lifting heavy cans and placing them in lower cupboards, pulling the refrigerator door open and lifting/pulling drawers--these are movements that help to develop core muscles and coordination.

• 3

  Make your child open and close his or her car doors. Heavy minivan doors are perfect for this sort of muscle-building activity. If you normally use an electronic door opener, stop and let your child open and close the door.

• 4

  Have your child vacuum your floors. The forward stretch and the knee bends required for pushing the vacuum forward, then tilting/pulling back, help to build core muscles as well.

• 5

  Turn your child into a helpful gardener and have him handle the wheelbarrow in the yard. Ask him to load sand, dirt, rocks, or bricks--heavy items--and transport and empty them to another section of the yard.