The “hammock” swing on the left requires effort to push off from or spin on, which helps increase muscle strength, especially in the extensor muscles of the shoulders and back. The "bolster" swing on the right moves in only one direction. Because it’s more stable and predictable, it’s an ideal piece of equipment for a child afraid of motion.

This swing is perfect for children who might have a great deal of muscle weakness or are afraid of motion. It offers a solid surface for sitting and allows the child to move the swing themselves when they are ready. It also can provide intense rotary movements, and if the child is on their stomach and pushing the ground, it can help with proprioception — the awareness of where one’s body is in space.

Holding onto the swing with one hand while giving a high five is a cognitive-based activity for children while they’re using a swing. The need to make more purposeful movements makes the work just a bit harder.

Scooter boarding through an obstacle course helps children with their “motor planning” — how to get from one spot to the next by figuring out how close they can get to the cones, how fast they should move, and more.

The student on the scooter board is getting a good feel for his body moving through space and a workout on his muscle extension, which helps strengthen the muscles throughout the back.

Maneuvering through an obstacle course of trampoline, tunnel and plastic “lava rocks” encourages balance and strength in motion. Crawling through the tunnel on all fours, for instance, works arm muscles and builds the ability to move in a stable way.

A Lycra tunnel can be another useful tool in an obstacle course. Because they have to push their way through this tunnel, it works well for children who are extremely active and benefit from the feeling of resistance and pressure.

For children who might have issues with sensation — e.g., they don’t want to touch food, or sticky items — spreading and playing with shaving cream on a mirror lets them explore different tactile experiences. Asking them to write letters or numbers or draw shapes is a good tie-in to their academic learning.

To help with their fine motor skills, children can pick up objects from the middle of a container of a material like rice, perhaps choosing by color or shape to connect with their classroom learning. They can also immerse their hands completely to feel the weight of the material on their hands.

Getting zipped into the starfish sock, perhaps the most fun tool for students and children.

Climbing into and moving around in the stretchy, close-fitting starfish sock provides resistance to movement, which strengthens muscles and gives a good feeling for proprioception — the awareness of where the body is in space. Walking in the sock takes concentrated effort, which also helps with balance.

Sitting on this swing helps children work abdominal muscles and hip flexors to strengthen their core. Bouncing up and down, or moving in circles, also stimulates the vestibular system, which regulates balance. Building in another skill, like grabbing an object while swinging, provides an additional cognitive challenge.

Students accelerate down a ramp on a scooter board and (safely) “crash” into a bolster-filled soft landing area. This sensory experience helps children move better through space and allows them to experience movement in a more sophisticated way.

Occupational therapists are always looking for that “just-right challenge,” an apt description for this fun experience of accelerating down a ramp and safely encountering a wall of bolsters.