Pool time with purpose: Beat the heat with PT exercises

Water can be one of the most playful—and powerful—tools for helping kids grow stronger and more confident. Pediatric aquatic therapy uses the natural support and resistance of water to gently build strength, improve coordination, and support recovery from injuries. In this article, you’ll discover the many benefits of water-based therapy, along with fun, effective exercises and practical tips to make a splash in your child’s progress.

Key Takeaways

• Aquatic therapy provides a low-impact environment for children, making it effective for physical rehabilitation by enhancing strength, coordination, and balance without straining joints.
• Safety is crucial in pool-based therapy; always ensure supervision, follow water safety guidelines, and use appropriate equipment to facilitate effective therapy sessions.
• Incorporating fun elements, such as games and obstacle courses, can significantly engage children in therapy, allowing them to benefit from exercises while associating pool time with enjoyable activities.
• Boost your child’s swimming skills and more with expert-guided physical therapy from Coral Care. Our licensed therapists can create fun, personalized routines that build strength, coordination, and confidence—all from the comfort of your home.

How Pool Time Supports Kids’ PT Goals

Summer is a time for fun, sunshine, and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. One of the best ways to make the most of the warm weather is by spending time in the water! Did you know the pool can be more than just a place for splashy fun? It can also be a powerful tool for children's physical therapy, combining play with purpose.

For kids who are in physical therapy, pool-based exercises offer incredible benefits; for one, the buoyancy of water reduces joint strain, providing a low-impact environment that’s gentle on the body while still offering appropriately challenging exercise. 

In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of pool therapy for kids, share specific exercises that can help improve strength and mobility, and offer practical tips for parents and caregivers to make the most of pool time.

Why the Pool is Great for Pediatric Physical Therapy

Water provides a low-impact, joint-friendly environment that’s perfect for assisting kids in their physical therapy goals. Unlike land-based exercises, many movements are less painful or uncomfortable. This can be particularly beneficial for children recovering from injuries or surgeries, as it allows them to psychically engage without putting undue stress on their bodies. 

In addition to being gentle on the joints, water offers natural resistance that can help improve strength, coordination, and balance. Aquatic therapy programs leverage this resistance to challenge children in a safe and controlled manner. The sensory benefits of water also play a crucial role, as gentle pressure and the soothing nature of water can help calm children and help them be more receptive to the exercises.

What makes aquatic therapy truly special is its fun and motivating environment; kids are often more willing to participate in pool therapy exercises because they associate the pool with play and enjoyment! This often leads to better engagement and more effective therapy sessions.

Safety First: Preparing for Pool-Based Exercise

Safety is always the top priority when it comes to aquatic activities. Make sure your child is closely supervised whenever they’re in the water. It’s also a good idea to consult with your child’s therapist or a trained professional before starting any new water routine. Basic water safety, like using the right flotation devices and keeping the pool area clear of hazards, is essential for a safe experience.

When it comes to water depth and temperature, aim for water that’s shallow enough for your child to stand comfortably—around 3 to 4 feet is usually ideal. A parent or trusted caregiver should always be in the water with them to offer extra support. For the most comfortable therapy sessions, the water should be warm—ideally between 86 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit—to help relax muscles and promote better movement.

To make the most of pool therapy, having the right equipment can really help. Floaties, noodles, and resistance toys are fun and effective tools to include in therapy sessions. And of course, before beginning any new aquatic therapy program, be sure to talk with your child’s therapist to customize the activities to fit their specific needs and abilities.

Fun & Effective Pool Exercises for Kids

Pool time isn’t just about fun – it's a great opportunity for kids to improve their physical skills while enjoying the water. Casual pool exercises can help boost coordination, build strength, and increase flexibility – all while having a blast in the water!

Here are some simple, enjoyable activities that focus on different areas of development: balance and coordination, strength-building, flexibility, and range of motion. These exercises can easily be incorporated into your child’s playtime in the pool, and are simple enough to practice any time.

a. Balance and Coordination
Improving balance and coordination is key to your child’s overall development, and buoyancy creates a perfect environment for these activities. A fun exercise is water walking—your child can walk through water at different depths from a few inches to waist-high, feeling the difference in resistance. This exercise helps improve balance, leg strength, and circulation.

Another exercise involves practicing single-leg stands using a noodle for support. This helps your child work on their stability and strength. Jump-and-reach games are fantastic for boosting coordination, too – with floating toys, your child can practice reaching and stretching, which improves their coordination and core muscles.

b. Strength Building
Water resistance is perfect for building muscle strength! A simple yet effective exercise is kicking both feet against the pool wall, which strengthens the legs and launches young swimmers through the water. Underwater treasure hunts encourage your child to squat and dive to find items, which helps build lower body strength, breath control, and general endurance.

Push-offs and pool wall exercises are also great. These exercises are designed to be enjoyable, ensuring your child stays motivated while building strength and staying cool.

c. Flexibility and Range of Motion
Flexibility and range of motion are important for your child’s physical health, and warm, calm water makes stretching easier and more effective. Underwater arm circles can help improve shoulder flexibility and muscle tone by encouraging kids to complete full or partial rotations. Leg swings are another great exercise to increase the range of motion in the hips and lower limbs.

Gentle stretching using pool steps or ledges can really help improve flexibility and relaxation! Performing these stretches in water reduces the risk of injury, allowing your child to stretch more easily and safely.

Making It Fun: Turn Exercises into Games

Turning therapy exercise into games is a fantastic way to make sessions more enjoyable and engaging for kids. When therapy feels like fun, children are more motivated and eager to participate, helping them reach their goals more effectively. A good idea is to create a pool obstacle course that includes various therapeutic activities – by setting up challenges that involve water walking, jumping, stretching, or balancing, the exercises become more exciting and encourage kids to improve their strength, coordination, and motor skills.

You can also play games like Simon Says, but with therapeutic moves. For example, you can call out exercises like “touch your toes in the water” or “do a big splash with your arms.” Relay races with therapeutic goals—such as swimming or kicking to a certain point, or balancing while moving—can also be a big hit. These playful activities help kids work on their therapy goals in a natural, lighthearted way, making the process feel less like work and more like a game.

By incorporating fun elements like these into therapy, children are not only more likely to stay engaged, but they’ll also look forward to their sessions. When therapy feels like play, kids are more motivated to improve their physical abilities, boosting both their confidence and progress. It’s a win-win!

Customizing for Different Needs

Every child is unique, and their therapy needs can vary significantly. It’s essential to customize aquatic therapy to accommodate different levels and special needs. For instance, children with autism, cerebral palsy, or sensory issues may require specific adaptations to their exercises. Tailoring the therapy to their unique needs can make a significant difference in their progress.

Group sessions can be beneficial for some children in a group setting, providing a social environment that can encourage participation and motivation. However, solo treatment sessions might be more appropriate for others, depending on their specific needs and preferences. Involving your child’s physical therapist and seeking their advice can help determine the best approach and ensure that both playtime and therapy is effective and safe.

Bonus Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Incorporating therapy into your child’s regular pool time is a fantastic way to ensure consistency while making therapy feel less like a formal session and more like an enjoyable activity. When therapy blends seamlessly with play, your child will be more motivated and eager to participate, making the process feel natural and fun. Whether it’s through water walking, games, or simple exercises, you can work on important therapy goals without taking away from the joy of being in the pool.

Tracking your child’s progress is an essential part of the journey. Keeping a record of their improvements—big or small—can not only help motivate them but also provide valuable insights for their therapist. Celebrating these milestones, even the small ones, reinforces the positive connection between effort and progress. It’s a great way to show your child how far they’ve come and keep them excited about their next session.

Building a consistent routine around pool therapy also adds structure, making it easier for your child to know what to expect. Adding positive reinforcement—whether it’s verbal praise, a high five, or a small reward—can work wonders in boosting their confidence and motivation. Encouraging your child, highlighting their successes, and celebrating their hard work can make a huge difference in how they approach their therapy and the progress they make along the way.

By making therapy feel like part of their everyday pool fun, tracking progress, and offering plenty of praise, you’ll not only enhance your child’s experience but also help them achieve their goals with a smile.

Summary

Pool exercises and games offer a unique blend of fun and physical rehabilitation for children. The low-impact, joint-friendly environment of the pool, combined with the natural resistance of water, makes it an ideal setting for improving strength, coordination, and flexibility. Safety is paramount, and proper preparation and supervision are essential to ensure effective and enjoyable therapy sessions.

By turning exercises into games, customizing therapy to meet different needs, and incorporating therapy into daily routines, parents can make pool therapy a positive and impactful experience for their children. Embrace the summer season, and let the pool be a place of both play and purposeful physical therapy.