Gecko Creep

  • Strengthens abdominals and hip flexors, which assists with maintaining upright posture when standing and sitting.
  • Strengthens the upper limb (shoulder, arm, wrists, hands), which is important for pre-writing/handwriting and fine motor control.
  • Encourages the practice of bilateral coordination, which is an important skill for many challenging tasks such as writing, cooking, and sports activities.
  • Provides proprioceptive input to a number of muscles and joints, which can be useful in assisting children with emotional regulation (achieving a ‘calm, alert’ state, ready for learning).
HANDOUT
PRACTISE JOURNAL
TECHNIQUE VIDEO

Uses

After lunch breaks, have students do this exercise against a wall before entering the classroom, to assist them in achieving a ‘calm, alert’ state ready for learning.

Instructions

  1. Start in a full push-up position (on your hands and toes)
  2. Keeping your body low and hips as still as you can, step your right hand and left foot forwards and then back again to the pushup position
  3. Step your left hand and right foot forwards and then back again to the pushup position
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Watch Points

  • A straight line between shoulders and heels (rather than hips lifting up or sagging)
  • Moving your hand and opposite foot at the same time
  • Small, slow, controlled steps
  • Tummy muscles squeezed
  • Start in a full push-up position (on your hands and toes). Keep your body still, while you step your left foot forward then back. Then step forward and back with your right foot.
  • Start in a standing push-up position (with your hands against a wall).  Lift your left knee up to your left elbow, then back down.  Repeat on the other side.  Keep your tummy muscles squeezed and hips still.

Seated/standing:

  • Climb up an imaginary ladder with your arms (and your legs if possible).