Improve Dynamic Balance with Backward Steps + Hurdle Jumps! 👣👀 | Pediatric PT #35

Backward + Forward Hurdle Challenges with Liam & Mila 👋🏼 Hi there! I’m Amy Sturkey, a pediatric physical therapist, and today I’m working with my energetic co-instructors Mila (almost 4) and Liam (8½)! 💪🏼😅👏🏾 In this session, we’ve set up 4 very delicately balanced hurdles (pool noodles on top of cones) to challenge body awareness and dynamic balance. First, the kids try stepping backward over each hurdle — watching their feet, planning their movements, and avoiding even the slightest bump that could tip a noodle. Then they switch gears and try jumping forward over the same hurdles! 🦶⚖️🟦 Both skills require focus, control, and confidence… and both kids rise to the challenge beautifully. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 — Intro + Meet Mila & Liam 0:20 — Backward stepping over delicately balanced hurdles 0:50 — Mila attempts backward stepping 1:12 — Forward jumping challenge 1:25 — Liam’s jump sequence 1:34 — Mila’s jump sequence 1:49 — Why backward + forward hurdle challenges build dynamic balance 2:02 — Wrap-up & Subscribe 🎯 Why Backward & Forward Hurdles Are Great for Kids These playful challenges help kids: 🔄 Build body awareness and understand where their feet are in space 👀 Look over a shoulder or ahead while still maintaining safe foot placement ⚖️ Improve dynamic balance while moving in different directions 💥 Learn from instant feedback — a bumped noodle lets them self-correct 🧠 Strengthen motor planning and movement confidence 🦶 Practice controlled jumping and landing Simple setup. Big skill payoff. To modify the challenge, try: 👉🏽 Lower hurdles 👉🏼 Wider spacing 👉🏾 Slower stepping vs. quicker jumps 👉🏻 Using a hand-held support for beginners 👉🏿 Counting how many hurdles stay upright each attempt Always supervise closely and adjust difficulty to your child’s abilities. ❤️ 📺 Dynamic Balance Playlist 👉🏽 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjOc8OXSWsjFHqZnzrB18w2P 🌐 My website www.pediatricPTexercises.com 📘 Facebook page Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises 📧 Contact amysturkey@gmail.com (For questions, kind words, or clarifications. I can’t provide specific treatment recommendations for a child I haven’t personally evaluated.) 🌎 Captions & Language Access I’ve reviewed and corrected these English captions for easier viewing. To turn on captions: click CC at the bottom right of the video. To watch in another language: 1️⃣ Click Settings (gear icon) 2️⃣ Click Subtitles/CC 3️⃣ Choose your preferred language 4️⃣ Or select Auto-translate if yours isn’t listed To turn captions off, click CC again. 📚 My books on Amazon “P is for Poop and Pee Accidents” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 “A is for Anxiety” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V “A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR “C is for Cerebral Palsy” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP “D is for Down Syndrome” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 “A is for Autism” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 “Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD