By TOMWINIECKI on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 12:14 pm: Edit

I have two students with Down Syndrom. We are beginning a tumbling unit that will last for 4 classes. Because of these student's weakness in their necks (from the Down Syndrom), does anyone have any floor type of gymnastics activities that they can do while everyone else in their class is doing more "traditional" tumbling activities? We will already have them work on their balance with the rest of the class, but I need activities for them for the other parts of this unit

By MEGYMN on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 12:16 pm: Edit

I have been slowly teaching a down syndrome child,one on one in their home,and I have done stations that lead up to more advanced skills.I have hit a wall where it comes to pronated knees and the weak neck but after all the assessments the doctor could do he just told me to do what I think is best.Funny huh?!Unfortunately you will have to include everyone in these stations.But fortunately every child could benefit.Try a long jump station,a jump up station,a balance beam(floor beam) station,a cone obstacle course with beanbags on their heads,a type of hopscotch station,a stationary bicycle station with those little cranks you can use with a chair,a balance station with balance boards,etc..And a gymnastics station that is supervised.Pair them first with skill level so they aren't intimidated,then mix and mingle them so they get a little incentive.Good luck.And let me know of anything you learn it could help me too.

By TOMWINIECKI on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 12:19 pm: Edit

I have not found much information on things to do that is not a repeat of what the rest of the class has already done (before they go onto the rolls...) Granted, my kids with Down Syndrom can certainly use the extra work at previous skills.

One thing I did find are "balance puzzles." I cannot remember who I got them from. (If this person is reading this message, please tell us who yu are.) They basically work this way. I cut out pictures of hands, feet, circles (for elbows), rectangles (for knees) and 2 half circles side by side (for a bottom). They are placed in different patterns on a piece of paper that the kids need to copy on a mat. I laminated the papers to use from year to year. They have to balance their bodies using only what is pictured on each page. I have about 10 different pages. They really enjoy them and are very proud when they figure one out.

They do egg rolls and log rolls, but so do the rest of their classmates.

That is about all that I have up to now.

By MEGYMN on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Yes I've used those before also.I do cartwheel mats(visual hands and feet),Handstands where she stands looking away from the wall to start and walks her feet up the wall(that way they only go as far up as they feel safe),handstand kick drills(first stand in a lunge then touch hands down and bring them up),(then add a jump),(then a higher kick).I have done backward rolls off a mat that is as high as a couch because with a pillow under her hed and it high enough she puts little or no pressure on her head and neck.But that is the hardest I've done.Treid forward rolls after I taught her a head/neck tuck for a long time so she doesn't roll on her head.

By Alex Dail on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 08:16 pm: Edit

As I gave it some thought Sensory-motor activities might be appropriate. An excellent source for these in my school district has been Physical Therapists.

Examples of stuff we did on mats

Tracking a hanging ball (or whatever)while it swings forward/back, side to side, clockwise and counter clockwise.

Trace simple patterns in the air with feet.

Various balances on hands and knees both with stomach down or crab walk position.

Knee walking sideways, backwards, and forwards.