Objective
Through this activity, children practice strengthening and stabilizing their bodies, which is important in all forms of physical activity.
Instructions
- One child holds the legs of the child acting as the wheelbarrow, while the child walking on their hands must stabilize their body with straight arms. Remember to focus on correct hip positioning, characterized by a slight curve in the lower back (not an arch).
- Start by walking forward and backward and hold around the knees—not the ankles—of the child acting as the wheelbarrow.
- Gradually move the grip further back as the children master the hip movement.
Tips
- Build up the exercise progressively with short intervals at first.
- Vary the surface; the activity is tough on wrists and hands, so a soft surface and good warm-up are beneficial.
Variation
- Once hip control is good, the wheelbarrow children can greet each other and do a “high five” when they meet.
- Walk uphill, downhill, forward, backward, sideways, etc.
- For advanced participants, the wheelbarrow child can squeeze their legs around the partner’s waist and hold their own body up without the partner holding their legs.
Equipment
No equipment required.