Sometimes you may need to purchase some additional equipment to help your child and there are lots of options you can find online. Some examples of this may be higher stair gates, magnetic locks for cupboards or an adjustable highchair to use as your child grows. Try using a search engine such as Google to find what you need as what is available commercially can change very quickly.
Bathing and toileting
Look for a bath with a reclined seat and pommel to prevent your baby slipping down. As sitting balance develops, seats that support around their tummy help your child play in the water.
If your older child has balance difficulties, use non-slip mats on the floor or sitting down in the shower may be easier for them.
Children with developmental delay or low muscle tone may struggle with balance and stability. Something to support their feet and something close to hold onto may help them feel safe and supported while on the toilet.
Seating
It is important that your child's posture is supported while sitting to enable them to free up their hands to engage in feeding, play and writing.
Chairs should have:
- a stable base: consider the seat depth, height from floor and height of child to the table. A chair with a back rest provides more support than a stool.
- good seat depth: a cushion/pillow placed between your child and the back of the chair reduces the seat depth to prevent the seat cutting into the back of their knees and support the pelvis to reduce pelvic tilt.
- good height from floor: most chairs are designed for adult length legs. A stool, upturned storage box, or a cardboard box stuffed with paper can be used for your child to rest their feet on. You can also use a chair with a bar they can rest their feet on, or a child's dining height chair.
Take into account the height of the child to the table: A cushion under their bottom (or even a pile of books) is the first thing to try. A child's height dining chair ensures they are the right height to the table and have something to rest their feet on. There are different ones on the market.
High chairs
Look for:
- footrests - support your child to develop good sitting posture with feet flat on footrest to increase stability and encourage them to sit upright.
- adjustable backrest - adjust the position in line with your child’s development. As sitting balance develops and core stability improves, gradually adjust backrest to upright position.
- the harness - if it cannot be tightened enough it will not support your child's position when they are smaller. If the highchair does not have a groin strap/3 or 5-point harness or a pommel the child may slide down.
If your child leans to one side, leans back or you notice their head is not in the middle, use cut up foam noodles, tea towels or unused nappies to support their posture. You can adapt this to buggies and car seats also.
Dressing and feeding
Larger size clothes are usually easier than smaller. Try big buttons and/or wider button holes. Labels or pictures on clothing may help them learn back and front.
If a child continues to struggle with dressing, consider adapting clothing, for example, Velcro shoes, Velcro on top buttons of shirts, elastic on shirt cuffs, elastic laces, toggles on coats or elastic waistbands.
Use child size cutlery with thick, easy grip handles that curve inwards and try flat shallow bowls.
Pencil skills
If your child has an upright pencil grasp, you can try a ‘handiwriter’ or a flexible band around the wrist.
Try different shaped pens/pencil and pencil grips. An ideal pencil grip promotes movement in the fingers, allowing the wrist to relax.
Try different ink, some pens are more free flowing.
If your child sits with a curved posture or appear ‘slumped’ over their work, the use of a writing slope may help them maintain a functional sitting posture.
Handwriting programmes are available such as Write from the start, Speed Up! And Handwriting without Tears for parents to deliver.