Little exercises for sturdy feet
Feet have an extraordinary role to play in the overall well-being of a person.
And yet, even today, they are still underestimated. Strong, well-built feet with mobile ankles and sensitive toes represent a sure way to avoid possible muscular and bone pathologies that can do much to spoil the quality of our lives.
We can give a bit of well-being to our children by getting them to do some little exercises that can easily be disguised as games.
Play is the simplest way to involve a child and the most direct channel of communication.
This is the principle to which ludotherapy owes its rapid expansion, not only as a corrective measure but also, and above all, as a preventive one. The exercises we are now going to suggest have been created for children who have already learned to walk well and should be carried out, as is obvious, bare footed.
Standing exercises
Stand up and walk, bending the toes slightly. This helps to reinforce the feet muscles considerably.
Walk on your heels. This also has a beneficial effect on your leg muscles.
It is also useful to walk slowly, with a rolling movement: heel, sole, toe. The foot touches the ground with the heel first, passing on to the sole and finally to the front of the foot, while holding up the heel.
For better balance and stability, get your child to walk along a line you have drawn on the floor, treading on it with the centre of his foot. (A piece of coloured removable Sellotape will do the trick)
For greater control over his movements the best exercise for your child is to walk, crossing his legs, along a line you have traced on the floor.
During the summer months, don't miss the chance for running and walking on the sand: feet are constantly searching for a correct balance and can benefit greatly from constant massage.
Sitting or lying down exercises
In this case, the most important exercises are those that help your child acquire control over his toes. As he sits on the ground, get him to grasp, lift and move with his toes a rag or some sticks you have placed there.
The next step is even more fun: he has to try and write his name with his feet.
Still in a sitting position, he can play at passing a small ball between the soles of his feet.
Sitting on a low chair, with his knees bent and his heels on the ground, it is useful for him to do some exercises by lifting the front of his feet, lowering them again and moving his toes around energetically. These are useful little foot movements that also get muscles and joints to work.
