How To Boost Your Child's Sporting Ability Using A Kid Trampoline

A kid trampoline! Why would anyone want one?

Well... the most obvious reason is that it can be great fun. What's more, it can radically improve your child's movement skills.

Trampolines are really great fun to develop motor skills such as equilibrium, balance, coordination and agility.

And it's fair to say that WITHOUT these skills a child will never really reach full potential in sport.

Also, children 3 years and older can easily use a mini trampoline.

But to get the best results and to ensure your child's safety it's important to get one that's the right size.

So, here's...

Stand on the floor next to the trampoline.

Stand or sit your child in the middle of the trampoline mat. If it's the right size you will be able to easily hold your child's hands.

A round one approximately 2m (~6') diameter is generally a very good choice.

Don't get one that's too big. You need to stay off the trampoline at all times to limit movements that you can possibly influence your child.

...to improve your child's movement skills.

Each step uses a different body position... lying on back, sitting, kneeling and standing.

Very rapid results are obtained when you go through each phase making sure your child has fully mastered the skills.

One - lie your child on his/her back on the kid trampoline mat. Put your hands on the trampoline mat close to your child's body. VERY gently push down on the mat and start to move the mat up and down.

As your child becomes more aware of the movement and motor skill development kicks in, you'll sense more assistance from your child's body. Eventually s/he'll be able to move the kid trampoline mat up and down using own body movement.

Two - once your child is comfortable sitting on the kid trampoline... get him/her to alternate between sitting and lying while bouncing... that's falling backwards from sitting position onto their backs and use their body movement to bounce all the way back to sitting position.

For safety reasons have adult supervision present when doing this.

Three & Four - kneeling and standing on the kid trampoline mat. Easiest is to hold your child's hands while gently moving the body up and down. In both these positions it's wise to encourage more difficult movements.

Encourage gentle movements from side to side while bouncing, move forwards and backwards, raising arms, swinging arms as if running, twisting slightly clockwise and then anti- clockwise while bouncing are also great motor skill development boosters.

Do the following exercises under your direct supervision!

Stand your child upright on the kid trampoline.

Now, let your child bounce horizontally onto back or stomach, and back to the upright position. A fairly high motor skill development level is needed before a child will accomplish this... but definitely something to boast about.

Although the kid trampoline is a tremendously valuable tool and toy to use... it's not something to let children use unattended... especially when young.

A Word Of Caution... for fear of injuries don't allow your child to jump off onto the floor... and clear immediate surroundings of all objects.

Developing a fully functional child is every parent's obligation. Fortunately it can be easily mastered at a very early age with the help of a kid trampoline.

So... rather than merely wishing, wondering and worrying about your child's motor skill development... make an investment in your child's future by getting a kid trampoline.

It will give you the satisfaction and peace of mind of a fully functional child and most likely of a child really enjoying sport.

Also visit this short article on motor skill development using a kid trampoline.