Research has shown that regular exercise is really beneficial for children with special needs. Trampolining in particular can provide many additional benefits.

The use of trampolines as a form of therapy for those with special needs is called ‘Rebound therapy’, and was first used in 1969. As well as facilitating exercise, Rebound Therapy provides benefits such as encouraging relaxation, muscle tone management and improving coordination.

Due to the fact that the benefits are becoming more and more well known, a number of trampoline clubs around the UK are starting to offer rebound therapy to children with special needs.

As well as providing rehabilitation benefits, trampolining on an outdoor trampoline ensures that children get fresh air and sunlight, and an excellent opportunity to socialise.

If you are considering buying a trampoline for your children to use at home, it is really important that you consider the safety aspects. Most trampolines on the market can be fitted with a tent or enclosure, which helps give you peace of mind that your children are safe while having fun.

To ensure safe usage of a trampoline, it is also important that trampolines are placed on a safe and level part of your garden, clear from trees and hedges.

This article was provided by Atlantic Trampolines, online retailer of high quality trampolines, trampoline parts and accessories.

Technorati Tags: Atlantic Trampolines, Trampolining for Children with Special Needs

Digital Kids – A number of recent research indicate how early and fast children’s adoption of technologies is taking place.

For example:

• Children age 8-18 spend 7 hours, 38 minutes per day using entertainment media.  They multitask, so they pack 10 hours and 45 minutes worth of media content into those 7.5 hours.  (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010)
• ¼ of kids are going online daily by the age of three, while around ½ are doing so by age five (The Joan Ganz Cooney Centre at Sesame Workshop, 2011)
• Children under two spend twice as much time watching TV and videos as they do reading books (1 hour 54 minutes, vs 53 minutes) (Common Sense Media, 2011)

Technorati Tags: Digital Kids, K5 Learning

Hi everyone, here is some news that we at Child Development Made Simple would like to share with you. The folks over at KiddiMoto dropped us a line to tell us about their exciting range of products. Read this update then head over and check out this great  range of Child Development Toys.

Teaching a child to balance from a young age can give really give your child a head start in life.

Coordinated movement and vertical posture are recognized as being the basis for developing age-appropriate speech, language and behaviour. In turn, this development forms the foundation for later movement skills such as drawing or writing in school. A well-trained and developed sense of balance and coordinated movement are also very important skills in developing attention, concentrating and remaining focussed for a long time.

Fortunately balance is a learned skill, so why not start teaching your child to balance as early as possible with a balance bike?

On a balance bike (otherwise known as ride ons or wooden bikes) the child sits on the bike and moves by pushing their feet along the ground. Balance bikes do not have pedals or stabilisers so children focus solely on learning to balance themselves.

You will see your child growing in confidence on the bike, progressing from always keeping one foot on the floor to lifting both feet off the ground, going backwards and forwards.

This fun activity not only teaches a child to balance and steer, but has many other benefits, as outlined below.

-          Physical activity.

Children under five should be physically active for at least three hours a day and the balance bike can help achieve this. Why not integrate the balance bike into your child’s routine, by riding it to school or kindergarten. The bike can be used on almost any surface and is a great way to brighten up a child’s journey to and from pre-school.

-          The balance bike also gives your child a head start when learning to ride a pedal bike. They will already be able to balance, steer and have a basic understanding of bike safety

-          The balance bike encourages children to spend time outdoors, therefore giving your child the opportunity to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being outdoors.

Balance bikes are available online and from toy shops worldwide.

Visit Kiddimoto.co.uk to see a wide range of hand crafted, wooden ride ons and toddler bikes in a variety of colours and styles.

Advertisement

Technorati Tags: Child Development Toys, Kiddi Moto, Toddler Bikes, Wooden Ride Ons