Sidestepping

Purpose:

To strengthen the muscles that move the legs sideways, develop balance control, practice shifting weight, and stabilize the hips for standing and walking. 

Directions:

Complete 10 side steps in each direction once a day 

Kneeling Sidestep at Wall

Place the child in a kneeling position facing a wall. Ask the child to step sideways, using open hands on the wall as needed for support and balance. You may help the child stabilize by placing your hands on the hips from behind. You may also need to help shift the child’s weight to the left leg so that the right leg may move. Likewise, help shift the weight to the right leg so that the left leg may move. Do not allow the child to turn the body forward to walk on the knees instead of sidestepping.

Standing Sidestep at Furniture

Stand the child on the floor facing the couch. Bring the child’s arms forward and place the child’s hands on the couch cushions for support. Sit on the floor behind the child, and place your hands on the child’s hips. Slowly and gently move the child’s hips sideways until the child has body weight mostly on one leg. Then have the child to step sideways with the free leg, and allow the child to move hips to bring the body weight over that leg. Have the child then step sideways with the other leg to bring the legs together again.  

Encourage: head and body upright and straight, feet flat on the floor, and arms forward and hands on top of couch cushions.  

Avoid: legs too far apart, crossed, or too close together. 

Standing Sidestep at Wall

Have the child stand with the back against a wall. Ask the child to step sideways, supported by the wall as needed. You may need to help the child stabilize by placing your hands on the hips. Help the child shift the weight to the left leg so that the right leg may move. Likewise, help shift the weight to the right leg so that the left leg may move. Do not allow the child to lean or sway while sidestepping- the movement should come from the hip only. 

Make it fun! 

Place puzzle pieces, pegs, large rings, or other small toys on one side and have the child sidestep to move them to the other side.