The Importance of Movement & Body Awareness
Helping little ones explore movement isn’t just important—it’s fun! For children who are blind or have low vision, discovering how their body moves and where it is in space builds confidence and independence. The best part? You can support this learning at home with simple, playful activities!
Sing, Touch & Move with “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
This classic tune is a perfect way to teach body awareness while getting your child moving!
Guide your child’s hands to each body part as you sing.
Use soft textures or gentle tapping to reinforce learning.
Speed up the song for extra giggles and engagement!
Touch & Motion Exploration
Encourage your child to discover their body through hands-on play:
Play “Where is Your...?” by asking them to find and touch different body parts.
Introduce a variety of textures like fuzzy fabric, sponges, or bumpy toys to explore with hands and feet.
Apply light pressure to arms, legs, and back while naming each part—this can improve both body awareness and relaxation.
Get Moving with Fun Games!
Games help build coordination and spatial awareness while keeping things exciting:
Freeze Dance: Play music and dance—when the music stops, freeze in place!
Red Light, Green Light: Use clapping, crawling, or jumping instead of running to signal movement changes.
Encouraging Crawling & Walking
Support your child’s mobility in fun and interactive ways:
Create a soft obstacle course with pillows or mats to navigate.
Place favorite toys that make sounds just out of reach to encourage movement.
Hold hands and gently guide their steps to build confidence.
Weave Movement into Everyday Moments
Movement doesn’t have to be a separate activity—make it part of daily life!
Dressing Time: Encourage lifting arms, stretching legs, or reaching for clothing.
Mealtime: Let your child explore food textures with their hands.
Bath Time: Make a splash! Kicking, swishing, and feeling water sensations are great for body awareness.
Movement is a key to discovery, confidence, and fun! Try these playful activities and watch your child’s confidence grow!