Gross Motor

I know I've posted before about the importance of exercise, fun ways to engage the vestibular system, and how the earliest gross motor skills show the most progress. So, here's another post about the importance of gross motor skills.

This was their first time in a bounce house. They loved feeling the floor move under them and feeling the reaction of the other one walking/jumping near them. Yipee for cause and effect the fun way. :)

They quickly problem solved that holding onto the side was the best way not to fall over. The unevenness makes their inner ears and vestibular system work to keep them upright even as they run and jump.

Here's a great family activity for gross motor skills. The kids are practicing balance and body control, while the Daddy is having to keep his core muscles tight so he doesn't collapse under the bouncing toddlers. 

Wrestling with your kids is also important. Rough housing in a safe way - in this case on an air mattress with padding covering the entertainment center and sharp corners - helps to teach natural consequences. If you jump on Daddy's back, he will get revenge!

Yummy, eating baby feet! Climbing up a moving surface is much more difficult than climbing up something stationary with footholds like at the park. 

This is what happens when they both want Mommy to rock them at the same time. Rocking seems so simple, and yet, this also helps stimulate the vestibular system.

Some kids get pony rides, our kids get Mommy or Daddy rides. I would love to say this has made me a lean, strong person. Really it just makes me feel like a wimp that I can't go very far, especially as they are requesting we go "faster, faster, faster!"