Caterpillar Crawl

Bilateral Coordination, Emotional Regulation, Lower Limb, Motor Planning and Sequencing, Pelvic Stability, Postural Strength and Control, Pre-Writing, Strength, Transition Activities, Upper Limb

Helps children ‘use up’ excess energy by doing a physically demanding exercise
Strengthens abdominals, hip flexors and upper limbs
Stretches lower back and back of legs (hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus)
Improves postural strength and control, which is important for maintaining upright postures
Strengthens the upper limb, which is important for fine motor and handwriting tasks
Provides vestibular sensory input which can help ‘sleepy or bored’ children to feel more energised, awake and ready for learning

Uses

This exercise has multiple benefits: emotional regulation, posture and priming the upper limb (which is important for handwriting and fine motor tasks). This makes it an excellent transition activity before class, after breaks, between activities and to move between classrooms.

Instructions

Start in a push-up position, on your hands and toes
Keeping your legs straight, walk your feet forwards towards your hands, then back again to the push-up position
Walk your hands back towards your feet, then forwards to the push-up position
Repeat 10-20 times

Watch Points

Straight back and legs throughout the movement
Hips level (not rocking side to side)
Abdominal muscles squeezed

Seated or standing:

Stretch your body out (towards the sky). Walk your hands in the air down to touch your toes. Then walk your hands back up towards the sky.

If it’s difficult to keep your legs straight, practice these hamstring stretches for 30-60 seconds a few times each day:

Bat Hang
Downward Dog

Imagine what it must feel like as a tiny caterpillar crawling across uneven blades of grass. See if you can create an uneven (yet safe) surface to crawl along (e.g. an obstacle course of cushions, blankets or pillows on the floor).

After doing the caterpillar crawl for 45 seconds, walk your feet all the way to your hands. Lift your hands from the floor and hug your legs like you’re wrapped in a cocoon. Keep your knees as straight as you can, holding this position for 30-60 seconds. Then, when you’re ready, slowly emerge from your cocoon and stand back up, fluttering and stretching your arms like a beautiful butterfly.