In this edition we present part 3 of a 5 part series discussing the physical benefits for children of playing on a jungle gym - we continue with the benefits of Core Strength and what equipment is best for its development.
Core strength is needed to stabilise children’s bodies and maintain balance.
The core muscles are the muscles around the spine which help to stabilise and protect the spine and help provide a solid base from which movement can take place.
neck muscles keep the head stable and upright
back muscles keep the spine erect and stable
abdominal muscles stabilise the lower back and pelvis
in addition, the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm are also considered to be part of the core
If a child has poor core strength, they will have difficulty controlling fine motor skills, such as handwriting, and participating in gross motor activities like school sport.
Check out this article to identify whether your child has core strength issues.
Benefits of Core strength
A strong core means smooth movement and controlled appendages, affecting both gross motor play skills and fine motor classroom skills.
On the playground, core strength allows the arms and legs to move freely for running, jumping, climbing, and skipping, giving children confidence to partake in sporting activities.
In the classroom, core strength allows children to hold their heads still to read a book or write and to support their torsos, freeing their hands to work on cutting, writing, colouring, and building.
They also need core strength to sit comfortably at a desk to listen and to attend to a task.
Playground equipment to develop core strength
Swings
Children need to engage their core abdominal muscles to stay upright in the centre of the swing. The balance required to keep the momentum of the swing also works those core muscles.
Climbing frames
Any climbing frame which encourages children to climb, pull and clamber will improve core strength - look out for swings, monkey bars, cargo nets, and balance beams in your jungle gym design.
Check out the Tarantula, Baby-T and Rons' Unit for good examples of climbing frames to help build core strength.
Monkey Bars
A child is required to hold their core strong while they move their hands along on the monkey bars.
Knotted Ropes and Cargo Nets
Lifting and controlling their own body weight to successfully climb a knotted rope or cargo net requires a child to use their core.
Balance beams and bridges
The core muscles are used to keep the body upright when balancing - balance beams and balance beam bridges can be used for balance practice.
Tunnels
For younger children, crawling through tunnels is an excellent way to improve core strength.
Contact us if you have would like a playground design to develop core strength
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