Physiotherapy for Children

Hip Strengthening Activities for Children with Global Developmental Delay (GDD): These exercises aim to improve postural stability, sitting balance, crawling, walking, and overall gross motor development. ⸻ 🦵 Hip Strengthening Activities for Global Developmental Delay Kids 1. Bridging Exercise • Position: Child lies on their back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. • Action: Encourage the child to lift hips upward and hold for 3–5 seconds. • Benefit: Strengthens gluteal and core muscles for sitting and standing balance. • Tip: Turn it into a fun game — “Let’s make a bridge for toy cars!” ⸻ 2. Side-Lying Leg Raises • Position: Child lies on one side, bottom leg bent, top leg straight. • Action: Lift the top leg slowly up and down. • Benefit: Strengthens hip abductors, improves stability in walking. • Tip: Say, “Kick the air like a superhero!” ⸻ 3. Squats (Sit-to-Stand) • Position: Child sits on a small stool or chair. • Action: Encourage standing up and sitting down repeatedly. • Benefit: Builds hip extensors and quadriceps. • Tip: Use toys as motivation — “Stand up to grab the toy!” ⸻ 4. Crawling on All Fours • Position: On hands and knees. • Action: Encourage forward, backward, and sideways crawling. • Benefit: Strengthens hip, shoulder, and trunk muscles; promotes cross-lateral coordination. ⸻ 5. Ball Sitting -Bouncing • Position: Child sits on a large therapy ball with feet on the floor. • Action: Gently bounce or shift side to side. • Benefit: Engages hip stabilizers and core muscles; improves balance. ⸻ 6. Step-Ups • Position: Low step or sturdy surface. • Action: Step up and down, alternating legs. • Benefit: Strengthens hip extensors and improves coordination. • Tip: Add songs or count steps for motivation. ⸻ 7. Animal Walks • Examples: Bear walk, crab walk, frog jump. • Benefit: Engages hips, trunk, and shoulders; enhances motor planning and fun movement exploration. ⸻ 8. Resistance Band Exercises • Position: Place a light resistance band around thighs or knees. • Action: Encourage side steps, mini squats, or kicking movements. • Benefit: Improves hip abductor strength and control. ⸻ 9. Riding a Tricycle or Balance Bike • Promotes reciprocal leg movement and strengthens hip flexors and extensors. ⸻ 10. Supported Standing Play • Encourage the child to stand at a table or wall with support while playing with toys. • Builds endurance and strengthens hip and leg.