Stretch it out! 🙆

🙆 Reach & Extend: Why Stretching Matters for Little Lifters

When your child reaches toward the sky or folds to touch their toes, they’re doing more than just stretching—they’re building a stronger, more capable body.

Reaching and extending supports mobility, balance, posture, and upper body control—all of which are crucial for everyday tasks like climbing, catching, and throwing. These movements also reinforce the connection between the brain and the body, helping kids move with intention and awareness.

🧠 Why It Matters

Reaching and extending develops:

• Flexibility in the spine, hips, and shoulders

• Postural control (so they don’t look like question marks at the dinner table)

• Full-body coordination used in sports, dance, play, and dressing

• Nervous system regulation by opening up breathing space and creating body awareness

🧒 Movement by Age Group

▶️ Ages 2–4:

Activity: “Tallest Tower”

• Have your child stand tall and reach toward the sky to grab pretend items—clouds, stars, dinosaurs.

• Encourage tip-toe reaching to activate the whole body.

Activity: “Toe Taps”

• Stand up tall, then fold and touch your toes—slowly. Make it a counting game!

Goal: Build early coordination and body mapping.

▶️ Ages 5–7:

Activity: “Sky Pickers”

• Call out imaginary objects:
  “Grab the cotton candy cloud!”
  “Snatch the floating taco!”

• Have your child stretch both arms high, feet planted.

Activity: Forward Folds

• Start tall, reach up, then fold to touch toes. Add a “swoop” like a wave or make it a slow motion challenge.

Goal: Improve shoulder mobility, hamstring flexibility, and trunk control.

▶️ Ages 8–10:

Activity: “Reach & Balance Flow”

• Alternate between high reaches and deep toe touches.

• Add side bends or arms overhead while balancing on one foot for an extra challenge.

Goal: Build movement control, spinal mobility, and dynamic flexibility that supports more complex skills like overhead throwing and gymnastics.

🔬 Science Spotlight

Reaching and stretching engages the anterior and posterior kinetic chains—the muscle lines responsible for upright posture and coordinated movement. These motions also activate proprioceptors in the joints and fascia, increasing body awareness and supporting safe, functional movement patterns.

Kids who regularly stretch and reach tend to move more confidently, fall less often, and transition more smoothly into sport and activity.

💡 Parent Tip:

Lead by example—stand next to them and stretch together. Make it a game, a challenge, or a wind-down ritual before bed. Big movements = big benefits.