Why We LOVE Obstacle Courses!

Obstacle courses allow us to efficiently address multiple OT goals with one fun activity!

Cognitive/ Thinking Skills

• Sequencing and planning

• Following directions

• Memory

• Ability to think of new ideas/ Flexibility / Creativity

• Problem Solving

 

Communication

• Cooperation

• Taking Turns

• Waiting calmly

• Collaboration with others to solve problems

• Self esteem, sense of accomplishment

• Play skills , having Fun!

 

Fine Motor / Visual Perception

• Finger and grasp strength (e.g. opening carabineers, grabbing trapeze)

• Eye hand coordination (e.g. connecting and threading webbing into carabineers)

• Writing grasp (e.g. labeling and drawing map of obstacle course and then giving it a star rating)

• Ocular motor skills, separating eye/head movements (e.g. throwing to a target while on a swing, watching a moving swing and timing transition to it)

• Visual spatial awareness (e.g. planning the spacing of the course and drawing a map of it)

 

Gross Motor

• Balance • Strength (upper body, lower body and core)

• Postural control and protective reflexes

• Bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body)

• Timing of movements and speed (moving faster and slower)

 

Safety Awareness

• Following safety rules

• Waiting until therapist is ready

• Safely maneuvering body up/down ladders and on/off equipment

• Thinking about consequences and placement of padding

 

It builds a strong sensory motor foundation of Kinesthesia (physical sense of self) which is a basic need for all skilled activities (motor, social, academic, cognitive, and attention).

• Proprioception (nerve receptors in muscles and joints)– bouncing, jumping, pulling, pushing, lifting, climbing

• Vestibular (nerve receptors in inner ear)– movement in all directions up, down, around and angular

• Tactile- Varied materials in contact with the body (e.g. spandex, carpet, beans, shaving cream)

 

Mary Kostka is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder at  her  private practice, ‘Ohana Occupational Therapy, LLC,   in Wenatchee and Leavenworth Washington.