How to Help Your Chronically Ill Toddler Exercise

For many children with chronic diseases, feeling weak and tired is the norm. It’s difficult for toddlers and younger children to fully appreciate the long-term benefits of stretching and exercising for their muscle strength, flexibility and overall health. Range-of-motion exercises help with flexibility and can stretch out or prevent contractures that are complications in some muscle diseases. Contractures are caused by shortened muscles or tendons that prevent a joint from fully extending and limit overall joint movement. In many cases, especially at the beginning of a disease or during a difficult period, range-of-motion exercises are the only type of work out a sick child is able to do. You can introduce simpler stretching and functional exercises as your child becomes stronger and able to participate in more strenuous activities. But always talk to your child's doctor first. Instead of a dreaded workout, make it fun and exciting for your child—a time when she won’t even realize she’s carrying out her doctor’s orders. Read about a few simple, everyday activities you and your child can do to accomplish range-of-motion and gentle exercises.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Markers, crayons or paints
• Tape
• Paint brushes
• Balloon or ball
• Board games, marbles or dominoes
• A little creativity

1. Tape a piece of paper on the wall slightly higher than your child would naturally reach. Place a container of markers or crayons on the floor next to him. This layout forces him to bend down to grab the markers or crayons and then stretch up to draw on the paper. You can use paints and paintbrushes, too.
   
   This range-of-motion activity is especially helpful for children who feel weak and tired on a day-to-day basis.
2. Play Duck-Duck-Goose, Red Light-Green Light, Ring-Around-the-Rosy or Simon Says. These childhood favorites allow your child to run and move at her own pace.
3. Get involved. Ask brothers, sisters and friends to join in the fun. Have contests by tallying how many sit-ups, push-ups or pull-ups each person can do; counting the times each person jumps rope; or playing basketball games like P-I-G or H-O-R-S-E.
   
   Social games change mundane exercise routines to fun play dates.
4. Play a game of balloon soccer. Kick a balloon back and forth with your child. Try this standing up or sitting down, or use a soft ball instead of a balloon.
5. Be creative. Choose board games, marbles or other activities that lead your child to reach, stretch or move around. Go for walks to collect leaves, pine cones or flowers; search for birds or butterflies; or play “I Spy” along your way. You can even incorporate stretching into cooking, letting your child mix or roll ingredients.

Tips & Warnings

• Make all of the activities a family affair. Children will have more fun—and better results—if family members and friends stay involved.
• Think safety first. Always be sure the games or activities you choose are done in safe environments.
• Clear all exercises with your child's doctor before starting an at-home program. Each disease and each child are different, so be sure what you are planning is right for your child's situation.
• Keep it slow, and watch out for signs that your child is overly tired or sore.