Summer is an ideal season to stimulate children’s psychomotor development. Pleasant temperatures, free time and outdoor spaces create a perfect environment to encourage movement.

From my experience as a pediatric physiotherapist, I often receive in consultation mothers and fathers concerned about their children’s motor coordination. The good news is that there are many playful and accessible activities that, in addition to being fun, help improve coordination and balance from the first months of life.

Why balance and coordination matter

Balance and coordination are essential motor skills for child development. These competencies allow the child to maintain postural control, move safely and explore their environment. Furthermore, they are closely linked to academic performance, self-esteem and injury prevention.

Activities for the first six months

During the first months of life, exercises should be gentle, controlled and guided by the adult. In my practice, I usually divide strategies into two main blocks:

0 to 3 months:

• Visual and auditory stimulation: moving rattles or soft-sounding plush toys from side to side stimulates eye-ear coordination.
• Focused gaze: placing an eye-catching object in the midline promotes visual fixation and tracking.

3 to 6 months:

• Reaching for objects: placing textured and musical toys within reach promotes head control, trunk stability and eye-hand coordination.
• Rolling from side to side: helps integrate primitive reflexes and stimulates motor alternation.

Recommended tools

• Toys with textures and sounds
• Activity mats
• Soft balls with contrasting colors

Key points as a physiotherapist: it is essential to observe postural asymmetries, altered muscle tone or delays in motor milestones. Additionally, I instruct families to continue the exercises at home, which multiplies the therapeutic benefits.

Activities for children who already walk

Once the child walks autonomously, we can implement more complex and challenging activities, always adapted to their age and environment.

Line walking:

• Draw a line with chalk on the floor and invite the child to walk on it without stepping off.
• Improves dynamic balance, attention and body awareness.

Home obstacle course:

• Combine cushions, boxes, ropes and hoops to create a playful course.
• Stimulates motor planning and intersegmental coordination.

Ball games:

• Roll, throw and catch balls of different sizes and weights.
• Ideal for working on reaction time and visomotor coordination.

One-legged jumps:

• Draw shapes on the floor for the child to jump in and out of.
• Excellent exercise for static and dynamic balance.

Sensory walk:

• Walking barefoot on different surfaces: sand, grass, water, smooth stones.
• Promotes sensory integration and plantar proprioception.

Aquatic activities: water offers an impact-free environment, ideal for stimulating mobility and body control.

• Floating games with floats
• Collecting objects from the water
• Moving while holding onto the pool edges

These activities promote balance without risk of falling and increase body confidence.

Practical tips for parents

Practical tips for parents:

• Adapt activities to the child’s age and stage
• Always supervise outdoor or aquatic activities
• Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear
• Accompany with enthusiasm and positive reinforcement

As a professional, I always encourage parents to turn every game into a development opportunity. No expensive equipment or special places are needed: the key is to observe, play and repeat.
Summer is a unique opportunity to strengthen children’s motor base through play. From pediatric physiotherapy, we can accompany families to discover activities.

Would you like a paediatric physiotherapist to assess your little one’s motor development this summer? At SanySa del Levante we offer friendly, unhurried children’s assessments with clear explanations, so you know what is normal and what deserves attention. Book your appointment and start September with a play plan that is also a health plan.