Here's what Therapy Focus Physiotherapist, Natalie Burgess has to say about the benefits of trampolining...

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Trampolining can be a fun and effective way to improve overall health. It improves fitness, increases circulation, promotes weight loss and strengthens the body, but did you know trampolining can also aid in a child’s development?

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In addition to being a lot of fun, jumping on a trampoline improves motor skills, coordination and balance. It also encourages socialisation with others, which is especially useful for children with autism. And as many parents will know, children with disability often respond positively to taking a different approach to a task. So a trampoline can often be used an effective educational tool and motivator for a child. 

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Some other benefits of trampolining include:

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Sensory regulation

Sometimes children with autism can become overwhelmed by the world around them, which can result in stress and difficult behaviours. Bouncing on a trampoline can provide sensory input for children with disability, and provide a safe place for frazzled youngsters to calm down.

 

Improved motor skills

Bouncing on a trampoline is a fantastic way to improve motor skills. Rebounding encourages muscle development, strengthens bones, reinforces joints, improves balance and fosters kinaesthetic awareness. Trampolining is also great for fitness and can be a great motivator to play outside and get rid of excess energy.

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Innovative engagement

Many children can find it difficult to learn in a traditional classroom setting. Some learn more effectively when learning is linked with physical movement. The use of trampolines can often be an effective tool for engaging children in learning.

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For example, you might draw words on the mat of a trampoline and ask a child to jump from one word to another to form a sentence. Another example might be colouring certain sections of the trampoline with chalk and calling out the name of the colour as the child puts their foot on it. There are many variations of these games and they can be easily modified to accommodate all skill levels.

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Improved social skills

Trampolining can be an excellent way to develop social skills. As well as providing a good topic of conversation to share, children can practise turn taking and games with rules. In addition,a trampoline can be an invaluable tool for encouraging interaction between children and their parents. Simple games like clapping or counting in time with the bounces or making up songs can encourage healthy and fun interaction.