Editor’s Note:  We came upon this blog post on Pinterest.  Miss Mancy calls this a ‘Mardi Gras Necklace Dive”  but it could be great for any time of year!   We are very excited to have found “Miss Mancy’s Blog and look forward to reading more from her!!

by Nancy Amar, OTR/L
Many of the children that OTs work with have weak core muscles. This includes abdominal muscles and back muscles. It is very important to work on core first as it is the center of ones body. A strong core means stability and we always strive for stability before mobility. In other words, before working on movement such as coordination, balance etc…, we must make sure that we work on building a stable/solid core so that the child doesn’t compensate during movements but instead completes activities with proper form.
Core work is also important for children with handwriting issues. A child with a weak core will use his arms to prop himself on the table as to support his trunk instead of freely using his hands to write. You can now understand how important it is to work on core strength (and why us OTs are always on the search for activities to work on these muscles in a fun way of course! 
The Activity:
I like using this activity to help children strengthen their abdominal muscles. I give them as much support as they need to succeed but be challenged. Sit your child on an exercise ball and kneel in front of him. Provide support at the hips and let them rest their feet on your lap. Proper form is important.
Place the necklaces behind the ball. I use two to three of each color. Ask your child to lean back and pick up a necklace.
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